White House border enforcement coordinator Tom Homan stated Thursday that federal forces deployed in Minneapolis may be drawn down contingent upon cooperation from state and local officials. This announcement follows the fatal shootings of two citizens by federal agents, which ignited significant local protests and criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum. Homan confirmed the immigration enforcement mission would continue but urged 'common sense co-operation' to facilitate a reduction in personnel numbers.
The status of the federal presence remains uncertain, as Homan provided few specifics regarding the scale or timeline of any potential withdrawal. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, both Democrats, have demanded a complete cessation of the federal operation, which reportedly includes 3,000 to 4,000 personnel vastly outnumbering the city's 600 local police officers. The administration has simultaneously criticized Minneapolis for maintaining a 'sanctuary city policy' that restricts city employee involvement in immigration enforcement.
The deaths that precipitated this tension involved Renee Good and Alex Pretti, leading to public outcry that prompted President Trump to appoint Homan to manage the operation, sidelining Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino. President Trump later characterized Pretti, who was killed after an altercation with agents, as an 'agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist' on social media. Lawyers representing the Pretti family countered that the prior altercation could not justify the agent's fatal actions.
Federal actions have provoked a legislative response, with congressional members from both parties calling for investigations into the shootings. Senate Democrats have threatened to withhold funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unless restrictive measures on ICE tactics, such as warrantless searches and agents wearing masks, are implemented. This legislative pressure led to a procedural vote blockage on a spending bill, forcing negotiations to separate DHS funding for separate deliberation.
Homan defended the administration's broader immigration enforcement strategy, citing that deportations under US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) exceeded 480,000 in Trump's first year in office, surpassing the 2012 high. DHS is currently detaining over 75,000 individuals nationwide, according to an agency document obtained by CBS News.
While Homan pledged to 'fix' the situation in Minneapolis by making the federal operation more 'targeted,' local officials maintain that the scope of the deployment has resulted in the indiscriminate apprehension of American citizens based on appearance. Mayor Frey asserted that individuals were pulled from their homes based merely on looking like they were from specific countries, describing the operations as un-American.
Homan’s remarks suggest a path toward de-escalation, linking troop levels directly to the willingness of state and local authorities to collaborate on federal mandates. The administration’s stance remains firm on the necessity of robust immigration enforcement, framing the ongoing negotiations as essential for national security.
