US Winter Olympian Rich Ruohonen criticizes ICE operations in Minnesota

One other U.S. Olympian on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan is talking out towards U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, particularly these performed in Minnesota.

American Roller Wealthy Ruohonen took time throughout a press convention to replicate on what occurred just lately in Minneapolis, together with the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal brokers.

Ruohonen, a private damage lawyer in Bloomington, Minnesota, mentioned, “What’s occurring in Minnesota is unsuitable — there aren’t any shades of grey.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Wealthy Ruohonen joins fellow Olympians in the course of the Workforce USA Welcome Expertise on the Milan Cortina Olympic Video games on February 4, 2026 in Italy. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Photos)

“To begin with, I wish to say that I’m proud to be right here to symbolize Workforce USA, and to symbolize our nation,” Ruohonen started his assertion. “However we might be remiss if we did not point out what is going on on in Minnesota, and what a troublesome time it has been for everybody. These items occur close to the place we stay.

“I am a lawyer, as you recognize, and we’ve a Structure that provides us freedom of the press and speech, protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures, and requires us to have possible trigger to be stopped. What is going on in Minnesota is unsuitable – there aren’t any shades of grey. It is clear.’

Ruohonen represented america at two world curling championships in 2008 and 2018, however that is his first time on the Olympics after failed trial runs previously. He would be the oldest American to ever take part within the Winter Video games.

Throughout his assertion, he identified that lots of his teammates — six of 11 to be precise — are from Minnesota.

AMERICAN OLYMPIC SKIER HUNTER HESS ‘CANNOT WAIT TO REPRESENT TEAM USA’ AFTER TRUMP SPAGE

“I actually like what’s occurring there now, with folks popping out, exhibiting the love, compassion, integrity and respect for others they do not know and serving to them,” he continued. “That is why we love Minnesota. And I wish to make it clear that we’re right here, we love our nation. We play for USA, we play for Workforce USA, and we play for one another, and we play for our family and friends who’ve sacrificed a lot to get right here at present.”

“That does not change something as a result of what the Olympics imply is excellence, respect and friendship. And I believe all of us exemplify that. We play for the folks of Minnesota and the folks throughout the nation who share the identical values.”

Ruohonen is not the primary U.S. consultant to discuss what’s occurring at residence, as skier Hunter Hess has been criticized for the “blended feelings” he mentioned he has about representing the nation.

He drew criticism from President Donald Trump and others after making feedback to reporters final week.

Wealthy Ruohonen attends the Workforce USA Welcome Expertise on the Milan Cortina Olympic Video games on February 4, 2026. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Photos)

“It is blended emotions to symbolize the U.S. proper now, I believe. It is a little bit bit troublesome. There’s clearly so much occurring that I am not the most important fan of, and I believe lots of people aren’t,” Hess mentioned.

“I believe for me it is extra that I symbolize my family and friends again residence, the individuals who represented it earlier than me, all of the issues that I believe are good concerning the US. If it aligns with my ethical values, then I really feel like I am representing it. Simply because I am carrying the flag does not imply I symbolize all the things that is occurring within the US.”

Days later, Hess made it clear what it means to symbolize the nation on the Olympics.

“I really like my nation,” he wrote with an American flag emoji. “There’s a lot nice about America, however there are at all times issues that could possibly be higher.

“One of many many issues that makes this nation so nice is that we’ve the appropriate and freedom to level that out. The very best factor concerning the Olympics is that it brings folks collectively, and with so many people divided, we want that greater than ever. I can not wait to symbolize Workforce USA after I compete subsequent week.”

Workforce USA curling already exceeded their expectations for the Video games as Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin upset Italy, the reigning Olympic blended doubles champions, on Monday.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Whereas the US group misplaced 6-5 to Sweden within the gold medal match, they got here away with silver, marking the seventh medal for the US.

Extra curling awaits this week, with the US set to tackle the Czech Republic within the males’s round-robin session on Wednesday, adopted by the primary ladies’s session towards South Korea on Thursday.

Comply with Fox Information Digital’s sports reporting on X and subscribe to the Fox Information Sports activities Huddle e-newsletter.