Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan criticized the Laken Riley Act during a weekend rally as she continues her campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, positioning herself against Rep. Angie Craig in a closely watched primary race, as reported by Fox News.

Flanagan, who serves as the second-in-command to Gov. Tim Walz, spoke at a “Stop Oligarchy” rally headlined by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. The event took place as Flanagan trails Craig in the latest RealClearPolitics polling average for the Democratic senatorial primary.

The winner of the contest is expected to face the Republican nominee in the general election to succeed retiring Sen. Tina Smith.

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During her remarks, Flanagan addressed federal immigration policy and specifically targeted the Laken Riley Act, which was sponsored by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. She argued that the legislation expanded the authority of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We’ve got to zoom out for a second, and we have to talk about how we got here, because this also wasn't an accident. Donald Trump ran on an agenda where we knew that ICE would be more powerful,” Flanagan said.

“This didn't just sneak up on us. It wasn't in the fine print. There were literally gigantic signs that said, mass deportees now. It was not a secret. And the very first vote in the second Trump administration that he brought forward was for the Laken Riley Act,” she added.

Flanagan described the law as a measure that removes due process protections and allows for extended detention.

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“It was the green light to give ICE unprecedented power to totally terrorize our communities,” Flanagan said.

She also connected the legislation to unrest in Minnesota communities, including Minneapolis, stating she sees a “straight line” between the law and local tensions. In her speech, Flanagan praised both Smith and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., for voting against the measure.

Flanagan also criticized Craig, noting that the congresswoman was the only Minnesota Democrat in either chamber of Congress to vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act. Craig recently addressed her vote in an opinion piece published in the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Craig wrote that she supported the legislation at a time when she believed her constituents in suburban areas such as Minneapolis and Mankato felt the Biden administration had “fumbled the immigration issue.” However, she later said she now regrets that decision.

Craig added that she believes President Trump has gone beyond the scope of the law with “sweeping immigration raids that have terrorized Minnesotans,” which contributed to her change in position.

The rally also included appearances by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who has been involved in responses to unrest in the Minneapolis area.

Flanagan referenced Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two anti-ICE activists who were shot and killed in law enforcement-involved incidents earlier this year, during her remarks to the crowd.

The Democratic primary is expected to draw continued attention as both candidates outline their positions on immigration enforcement and public safety. The Republican primary includes candidates such as former Houston Rockets player Royce White and former NBC Sunday Night Football reporter Michele Tafoya.

Reports have also noted tension between Flanagan and Walz following the governor’s previous vice presidential bid, which some outlets said affected Flanagan’s potential path to the governorship through succession.

Requests for comment were sent to Flanagan and Walz regarding her remarks.

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