Overview
- Politico senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein wrote on X that “the amateur effort to knock on doors of home daycares intersects with robust stand-your-ground laws.”
- The post drew swift online backlash from journalists and commentators who said it implied investigators or reporters could be shot for door‑knocking.
- ICE publicly accused Gerstein of “inciting violence against federal agents,” after which he replied that warning of a risk is not the same as advocating it.
- Legal analysts noted Minnesota generally imposes a duty to retreat outside the home, with castle doctrine applying at home, and Gerstein acknowledged the home distinction in a reply.
- The debate follows a viral video by independent journalist Nick Shirley alleging inactivity at Somali-run daycares receiving public funds, as ICE says it is working with the FBI on suspected fraud sites in Minnesota.