With his swearing in on Monday, Mayor Jacob Frey officially began his third term, though a protest derailed the start of his inaugural address.
The ceremony at the Pantages Theatre included plenty of fanfare, including an a cappella rendition of “God Bless America” a performance by the Somali Museum Dance Troupe and the reading of a work by Minneapolis’ poet laureate, Junauda Petrus.
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Once Frey and all members of the City Council, Park and Recreation Board, and the Board of Estimate and Taxation took the oath of office and it was time for the mayor to take the podium, hecklers in the crowd began chirping. The murmurs turned to yelling as a protester holding an “FTP” banner stood at the front of the room.
“We’re not doing this now,” Frey said during the disruption.
Security eventually escorted two protesters out of the theater, allowing Frey to return to his prepared remarks.
The mayor underscored Minneapolis’ resilience in the face of the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and the arrival of federal immigration agents in the city’s neighborhoods.
“City officials may not sit in the front rows of Congress, but make no mistake: We are on the front lines,” Frey said. “The consequences of federal dysfunction do not stay in Washington. They land in our neighborhoods; they land in our schools; they land at our front doors.”
Frey, who follows RT Rybak’s footsteps as the second Minneapolis mayor elected to three consecutive terms, listed housing, public safety and economic development among his administration’s priorities for the four years ahead.
“If the motto of the last four years was resilience, then the motto of the next four must be opportunity,” Frey said. “Opportunity to build housing that welcomes everyone, to make every neighborhood safer, and to grow a city that works for all.”
“By the end of this term we’re going to work together and you will see a reinvigorated downtown full of workers, residents, visitors, and large scale events. You will see a new chapter for Uptown driven by small businesses and arts culture and local entrepreneurs,” he said.
Frey also pointed to major redevelopment plans.
“You will see Nicollet Avenue break through Lake Street. You will see the long-awaited redevelopment of the former K-Mart site connecting neighborhoods that we’re once divided,” he said.
Frey also highlighted public safety trends, noting:
- Homicides are down 16%.
- Robberies are down 33%.
- Carjackings are down 36%.
- Shots-fired incidents are down 21%.
“You’re going to see the first-ever community safety center on the Southside, Frey said. “In 2025 we added new officers and grew our force more than 600, and by the end of my next four years we will grow it even further.”
The mayor emphasized community throughout his remarks.
“This city is about all of us. It’s about unity. It’s about coming together,” Frey said.
In the afternoon, the Minneapolis City Council and its four new faces — Pearll Warren (Ward 5), Elizabeth Shaffer (Ward 7), Soren Stevenson (Ward 8), and Jamison Whiting (Ward 11) — voted on its leadership structure for the next two years.
“We have heard a familiar message from our constituents,” said Ward 11 Council Member Jamison Whiting. “They are tired of factional politics at City Hall.”
Incumbent Council President Elliott Payne, part of the body’s progressive wing, was chosen to reprise his role as leader. Jamal Osman will replace Aisha Chughtai as city council vice president.
Council leadership includes:
- President: Elliot Payne
- Vice President: Jamal Osman
- Majority Leader: Aisha Chughtai
- Minority Leader: Robin Wonsley
“This moment must move us to show up in ways we have never shown up before,” Council Member Elliot Payne said.
Protesters call for action on domestic violence cases
Hours after the inauguration had wrapped up, a group called Twin Cities Coalition for Justice claimed responsibility for the protest during Frey’s inaugural address and called for accountability from Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara for “allowing the murders of Allison Lussier and Mariah Samuels.”
Lussier and Samuels were both victims of domestic partner violence.
The group accused the Minneapolis Police Department of mishandling the investigation into Lussier’s February 2024 death and prematurely closing a potential homicide case.
“I don’t think he’s being authentic at all,” said Jana Williams, a protester. “Mayor Frey went in front of everybody saying he was going to uphold the law, except he wanted to silence us.”
The group is demanding that the city allocate $5 million to create an independent unit to investigate domestic violence cases and discipline officers involved in the women’s cases.
Williams is Lussier’s aunt. “Both of these women should be alive today,” she said. “We’re actually demanding that Mayor Frey goes on public record and admit that his department failed Mariah Samuels case, his department failed Alison Lussier.”
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS asked whether she believes the new city council could help meet the demands she’s hoping for.
“I don’t know. I hope that they actually took their oath of office seriously in there,” Williams said.
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Samuels, meanwhile, had an order for protection out against her ex-boyfriend and alleged murderer, David Wright. Family members say police failed to intervene when Samuels presented evidence of Wright violating the protection order.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, several resources are available to offer help. For immediate help, contact:
More than 12 million people just in the U.S. are affected by domestic violence every year, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The organizations listed above can help connect victims to resources like safe shelter, advocacy, legal help and support groups.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline also offers tips for identifying abuse and supporting victims of abuse. CLICK HERE to see those.
Other organizations that can help include:
Minnesota also has a list of many other resources for victims of crimes that can be found HERE.
