Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura boasted that he’s “proud” of the Twin Cities’ protesters who “stood up for what is supposed to be America and freedom” — and hinted at a possible run for re-election.
Ventura, 74, was a single-term governor who voluntarily decided not to seek re-election in 2003. Before launching his short-lived political career, he was better known as pro wrestler Jesse “The Body” Ventura in the WWE.
He ran as a member of the centrist Reform Party, and never shied away from bashing both sides of the aisle — as he did throughout his book “DemoCRIPS and ReBLOODlicans: No More Gangs in Government.”
Ventura, still seething from reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials’ crackdown at his alma mater, Roosevelt High School, told Fox 9 that he’s “owed a second” term.
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura boasted that he’s “proud” of the Twin Cities’ protesters who “stood up for what is supposed to be America and freedom” — and declared he’s “owed” a second term. FOX 9
Border Patrol agents detain someone near Ventura’s alma mater, Roosevelt High School, in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
“We’re a country of the Constitution. We have leadership now that has destroyed the Constitution. They don’t follow it, they couldn’t care less about it. Am I right or wrong? I took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I view after Jan. 6, the Republican Party is a domestic enemy to our Constitution. I can’t get any colder than that, can I?” he said.
“You wanna know something? I’ll give you a quote. We’re a Third World country now. You wanna know why? I’m an expert; I’ve been to one. I spent 17 months in Southeast Asia while the draft dodger [President Trump] was playing golf. You know how I know we’re a Third World country? Because in Third World countries, they have the military doing police work in the cities while you walk around,” he added.
Ventura praised his high school community, who he said “stood up for what is supposed to be America and freedom” during scuffles with ICE agents at dismissal Thursday afternoon.
“I’m proud of them for what they did. They made me proud as an alumni. Go Teddies,” he said.
“I just came here today to show my support and told them how proud I was of what they did, of keeping ICE off of this campus. This is a place of learning, and you learn, and you learn things like the Constitution, you learn about warrants, you learn about things of that nature, and what we’re getting right now is violating all that kids are being taught,” he added.
Ventura bizarrely also took a moment to reflect on his glory days and brag about the swimming records he held while attending the high school.
The former wrestler added that he fully backs Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, whom he endorsed for re-election in 2022, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
