Pardoned Jan. 6er Jake Lang arrested after damaging Anti ICE sculpture at the Minnesota State Capitol
Source: X / @JakeLang
Published: February 5th, 2026 | Updated February 8th, 2026.
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA — A Florida man, known for storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and later being pardoned by Trump, is now facing a felony charge in Minnesota after authorities say he intentionally destroyed a permitted ice art installation on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol.
According to court records, Edward Jacob Lang, who also goes by “Jake Lang,” was arrested on the afternoon of February 5, 2026, after Capitol security and Minnesota State Patrol troopers observed damage to a political display located on the Capitol promenade in St. Paul.
Ice Sculpture Damaged at State Capitol
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m., when Capitol security dispatchers alerted troopers to a report of criminal damage to property on Capitol grounds. The display, a large ice sculpture spelling out the phrase “PROSECUTE ICE,” had been installed earlier that morning as part of a permitted event.
Court documents state the sculpture was commissioned by the Common Defense Organization, which paid $6,250 to a local artist to create the installation and an additional $600 for its scheduled removal once the permit expired later that evening. Organizers also told investigators they intended to donate the sculpture to a local business following the event so it could remain on display longer.
Investigators say Lang, who was dressed in camouflage clothing, kicked over and destroyed several letters in the sculpture, specifically damaging the word “SECUTE,” altering the message to read “PRO ICE.” The damage caused portions of the ice blocks to fall and break, rendering the artwork unusable for its intended purpose.
After the incident, Lang allegedly left the Capitol grounds in a RAM pickup truck.
Arrest and Statements to Law Enforcement
Minnesota State Patrol troopers located and stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and University Avenue. Lang was identified using his Florida driver’s license and taken into custody without incident.
According to the criminal complaint, Lang told troopers he believed he was exercising his “First Amendment right to artistic expression.” He acknowledged damaging the sculpture, stating that it was made of ice and “could not sustain its structure.” Troopers also noted that Lang said he recorded the incident and posted it to his social media accounts.
Lang declined to provide a formal custodial statement but asked that a message be relayed to prosecutors reiterating that he believed his actions were protected expression. The complaint notes that while the First Amendment protects artistic expression, including the creation and display of art, it does not protect the destruction of property owned by others without consent.
Troopers determined the damage exceeded Minnesota’s felony threshold for property damage and placed Lang under arrest. At his request, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office agreed to house Lang in protective custody at the Ramsey County Jail.
Felony Charge Filed
Lang is formally charged with:
Damage to Property – 1st Degree (Value Reduced Over $1,000)
Minnesota Statute §609.595.1(4)
Maximum penalty: Up to 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The complaint alleges that Lang intentionally caused damage to physical property that reduced its value by more than $1,000, measured by repair and replacement costs.
Release Conditions and Stay-Away Order
Court records show that Lang waived his right to a public defender and was later released without bail or bond. However, his release is subject to strict conditions.
A Stay Away Order prohibits Lang from entering or remaining near the Minnesota State Capitol complex at 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in St. Paul. The order applies in all directions from the Capitol grounds.
The order warns that any violation may result in:
Immediate arrest without a warrant
Contempt of court charges
Additional criminal penalties, including incarceration
Lang is also required to comply with all geographic restrictions imposed as part of his release.
Prior Public Claims
Following his arrest, Lang publicly claimed he was being held on a felony charge related to approximately $6,000 in damage after altering an immigration-related sign. Court records confirm that the sculpture’s creation and handling costs exceeded that amount and that the damage rendered it unusable for its planned reuse.