From Gettysburg to Minneapolis: How the American Civil War continues to shape how we understand contemporary political conflicts and their dangers

As anger about the presence of ICE in Minneapolis divided the nation, Americans turned to the American Civil War for metaphors.

By: John M. Kinder, Oklahoma State University and Jennifer Murray, Shepherd University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 18, 2026

Words: 1,242

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

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By John M. Kinder, Oklahoma State University and Jennifer Murray, Shepherd University

The negative public reaction to Operation Metro Surge – the violent immigration dragnet in Minnesota – was “MAGA’s Gettysburg,” wrote New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie on Jan. 28.

Bouie, of course, was comparing ICE’s setbacks to the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, the battle often credited with turning the tide of the American Civil War. Fresh off a string of victories, …

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