Incidents of intimidation in Minneapolis have skyrocketed by 84% since 2020, according to a new analysis published June 24, 2026 by the Center of the American Experiment. The report, written by Public Safety Policy Fellow David Zimmer, found that year to date through 2026, the city has recorded 1,402 intimidation incidents compared to just 760 during the same period in 2020. The analysis examines assault trends following what it describes as the "mass exodus of nearly 350 MPD officers" after the 2020 George Floyd uprising and efforts to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department.
The report breaks down assault data using three categories tracked by the Minneapolis Police Department: aggravated assault (involving substantial bodily harm, great bodily harm, or dangerous weapons), simple assault (involving bodily harm), and intimidation (placing another in reasonable fear of bodily harm). Year to date in 2026, Minneapolis has seen 1,421 aggravated assaults, 2,309 simple assaults, and 1,402 intimidation incidents—representing nearly a 10% increase in overall assaultive behavior compared to the three-year average. Compared to 2020's year-to-date figures of 1,161 aggravated assaults and 2,063 simple assaults, the 2026 data reflects a 22.4% increase in aggravated assaults and a 12% increase in simple assaults. These increases run counter to drops in other violent crimes, including robbery down 37%, carjacking down 41%, and homicide down 24% over the three-year average.
Prosecution data from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office shows shifting patterns in how assault cases move through the system. In 2020, there were 575 Minneapolis assault cases submitted for prosecution, of which 335 were felonies and 61.7% were charged. In 2026 year to date, the number of Minneapolis assaults submitted is on pace to reach approximately 445, with 270 being felonies and 58.3% charged so far. Minneapolis assault cases represented 51% of all Hennepin County cases submitted to the county attorney in 2020, but that share has dropped to 28% of the county total in 2026.
The report attributes the dramatic rise in assaults to the aftermath of the 2020 uprising and the subsequent departure of hundreds of police officers. According to the analysis, the 2020 year-to-date data is "largely representative of the 'pre-Floyd' era of Minneapolis crime, capturing activity prior to the 'uprising' following the death of George Floyd, the corresponding effort to 'dismantle the MPD,' and the mass exodus of nearly 350 MPD officers." The report notes that while the slight decrease in prosecution charging rates can be partially attributed to 2026 cases still under investigation, that percentage is likely to improve throughout 2026 due to initiatives such as the FAST Unit dedicated to investigating non-fatal shootings.
The report's author concludes that Minneapolis leaders should be "equally alarmed" by the 84% increase in intimidation cases, describing it as "a crime that drives away those who have choices on where to live, work, and recreate." The takeaway is stark: following the mass exodus of MPD officers after the 2020 uprising, Minneapolis has experienced a dramatic increase in assaultive behavior that persists even as some other violent crimes decline. For a city trying to recover its economic and social footing, the surge in intimidation cases represents a particularly troubling trend that could accelerate the departure of residents and businesses with options to go elsewhere.