A Florida man who was previously involved in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge after allegedly damaging an ice sculpture displayed outside the Minnesota State Capitol. The sculpture, which cost about $6,000, carried a message calling for the prosecution of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
Edward Jacob “Jake” Lang, 30, appeared in Ramsey County court in St. Paul this week to respond to the charge of felony property damage. Prosecutors say Lang intentionally knocked down parts of the sculpture during an incident that took place on February 5 at the steps of the Minnesota Capitol building.
According to court documents, Lang recorded and posted a video of himself kicking the ice sculpture. The artwork originally spelled out the words “PROSECUTE ICE.” In the video, Lang can be seen knocking over some of the letters so that the message changed to “PRO ICE.” Authorities say the sculpture had been commissioned and installed by the veterans’ organization Common Defense as part of a public display.
Police arrested Lang shortly after the incident as he was leaving the Capitol grounds. He was booked on suspicion of criminal damage to property and released the following day. The case has now moved forward in court, where Lang has formally denied the charges against him.
After the hearing, Lang defended his actions, arguing that what he did should be viewed as a form of expression rather than vandalism. He claimed the sculpture itself was offensive and inappropriate to display at the state Capitol. According to Lang, his act of knocking down the letters was meant to send a political message and he described it as “artistic expression.”
Lang is a controversial political activist and social media personality who has gained attention for his far-right views. He was among the people charged in connection with the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., when supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the building following the 2020 election results. Lang spent several years in jail awaiting trial before receiving a presidential pardon in 2025 along with many others involved in the incident.
Since then, Lang has remained active in political activism and online commentary. He has also announced plans to run for the U.S. Senate in Florida in the 2026 midterm elections. His activities have drawn both strong support from some followers and sharp criticism from opponents.
The ice sculpture that became the center of the case was created to raise awareness about concerns over immigration enforcement. Supporters of the display say it was meant to highlight calls for accountability within the federal immigration agency. Members of the group that organized the installation say damaging the sculpture undermines the principles of free speech and peaceful political expression.
The incident quickly attracted attention online after Lang shared the video himself. Critics argued that the act was simply vandalism, while some supporters viewed it as a political protest.
Lang’s case will now move forward through the legal process in Minnesota. If convicted, he could face penalties under state law for criminal damage to property. For now, the court will determine whether his actions were unlawful destruction of property or whether his defense about political expression holds any legal weight.
The situation has added another chapter to the ongoing controversy surrounding figures linked to the January 6 events, many of whom have continued to appear in political or legal disputes across the United States.
