Out-of-touch American curler Rich Ruohonen, in a rant delivered at a 2026 Winter Olympics press conference, harshly criticized ICE operations in his home state of Minnesota. The Olympian claimed that the situation was “wrong” and “tough” for everyone, citing constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the lack of probable cause.
Supporting his claims, the lawyer declared, “there’s no shades of gray” and praised community responses showing compassion and respect. However, when the comments went viral on social media, conservatives were rightly angered by this political rant.
“First of all, I’d like to say I’m proud to be here to represent Team USA and to represent our country, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention what’s going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it’s been for everybody,” the controversial comments began.
Still not done, the irritating progressive claimed, “This stuff is happening right right around where we live, and I am a lawyer, as you know, and we do the cost we we have a constitution, and it allows us to freedom of the press and freedom of speech protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures and makes it that we have to, you know, have probable cause to be pulled over, and what’s happening in Minnesota is wrong.”
Continuing to stretch the facts, Rich Ruohonen added, “There’s no shades of gray. It’s clear. And I really love what’s been happening there now, with people coming out, showing the love, the compassion, integrity, and respect for others that they don’t know, and helping them out. And we love Minnesota for that, and I want to, I want to make it clear that we are out here.”
“We love our country. We’re playing for the US. We’re playing for Team USA, and we’re playing for each other, and we’re playing for our family and our friends that sacrifice so much to get here today,” the curler alleged in his rant.
Finally brining his screed to a close, the irritatting athlete said, “And that doesn’t change anything, because what the Olympics, what the Olympics means, is excellence, respect, friendship, and we all, I think, exemplify that, and we are playing for the people of Minnesota and the people around the country who show those share those same values.”
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Reacting to this comment, a popular post read, “NEW: American curler Rich Ruohonen criticizes ICE at the Winter Olympics, says it has been a really “tough” time for people in Minnesota.” Responding, one user stated, “Go home then. The Olympics is about unity and pride in country. You don’t hear any other contestants from other countries blasting their own country.”
“No words of solidarity for the protesters in Iran who are slaughtered by the thousands?” one irate conservative asked, “If they are going to use that platform to make political statements, might as well point out that our country tolerates some pretty wild behavior compared to others competing in this Olympics.”
Featured image from embedded video