Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura Labels Republican Party a ‘Domestic Enemy’ to the Constitution in Fiery Interview

On January 8, 2026, Jesse Ventura, the former Governor of Minnesota (1999–2003), Vietnam War veteran, and ex-Navy SEAL, delivered a scathing critique of the current political leadership during an interview with FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. Speaking outside Roosevelt High School—his alma mater—Ventura addressed recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Minneapolis, including a fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an ICE agent and a confrontation at the school involving detentions and pepper spray.

Ventura expressed strong support for the school’s staff and students who resisted the federal agents, praising them for upholding American values of freedom and due process. He stated, “We’re a country of the Constitution. We have leadership now that has destroyed the Constitution. They don’t follow it. They could care less about it.”

Drawing from his military background, Ventura referenced the oath he took to defend the U.S. Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. He then directly accused the Republican Party of violating that oath, saying: “I view, after January 6th, the Republican Party is a domestic enemy to our Constitution.” He cited the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack as a prime example of the party’s disregard for constitutional principles, adding that those involved are now “free and in charge.”

Ventura also sharply criticized President Donald Trump, calling him a “draft-dodging coward” and contrasting his own 17 months of service in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War with Trump’s medical deferments. He argued that the use of federal agents and military-style tactics in domestic settings has turned the United States into a “third-world country,” where military involvement in civilian policing is common.

The remarks came amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, which Ventura compared to authoritarian regimes, including 1930s Germany and martial law experiences he witnessed elsewhere. He voiced support for local leaders like Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, who have opposed federal overreach in the city.

Ventura, a longtime independent and critic of both major parties, hinted at a potential return to politics, joking that “maybe it’s time for Jesse” and claiming he’s “owed a second” term as governor after choosing not to seek reelection in 2003.

The interview has sparked widespread discussion online and in media, with clips circulating rapidly and drawing both praise for Ventura’s bluntness and criticism from those who view his statements as inflammatory. As a prominent figure in wrestling (as Jesse “The Body” Ventura), politics, and media, his comments continue to highlight deep divisions over constitutional fidelity, immigration policy, and executive power in 2026.