Checklist: summarize the Minneapolis enforcement shift, report Homan’s takeover and meetings, note shootings and community tensions, preserve direct quotes and embeds, outline enforcement priorities and accountability. This piece reports on Tom Homan’s visit to Minneapolis after two violent incidents and the federal response shift. It covers his meetings with local leaders, his view on cooperation, and his pledge to continue targeted immigration enforcement. Embedded video tokens from the original are preserved where they appeared.
Tom Homan addressed reporters after being asked by the president to take charge of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Minneapolis. He made clear to anyone listening that, in his view, there will be no backing down from the administration’s stated goal of enforcing immigration laws. Homan’s arrival follows two separate deadly incidents that escalated local unrest and intensified scrutiny of federal tactics and local cooperation.
The two shootings have driven the political and law enforcement response. The first incident occurred when Renee Nicole Good rammed an ICE agent with her car and was shot in defense. The second involved ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who intervened in a Border Patrol operation, was armed, and was shot by two agents who say they acted in self-defense. Those events prompted questions about oversight and the tone of public remarks from federal officials.
After the second shooting, Homeland Security leadership faced criticism and the operation’s oversight was changed. President Trump called on Homan to step in, and Homan met with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and the St. Paul mayor to map next steps. He also met with faith leaders, community members, and law enforcement brass to forge a working path forward that emphasizes public safety and local cooperation.
At the press conference Homan largely followed prepared remarks but also added personal perspective from decades in the field. He stressed his mission is to secure public safety and to pursue “common sense cooperation” with local officials so federal resources can be drawn down. In his own words, he explained why he was on the ground: “I’ve been on the ground less than three full days, I got over here on Monday. President of the United States asked me to come. I’m staying until the problem’s gone. But we’ve made a lot of progress. A lot of progress in the last three days.”
Homan introduced ICE leadership on site and reiterated that the crisis stems from permissive border policies he blames on the current administration. He framed the work as completing President Trump’s promise to secure the border and to remove criminal aliens who pose dangers in communities. He emphasized the need to focus on criminal and national security threats and argued the numbers show active enforcement.
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@RealTomHoman in Minneapolis: ” @POTUS promised the American people, including the residents of Minnesota, that he would work to ensure our communities are safe…this administration is absolutely focused on identifying and removing aliens that pose a public safety threat and national security threats—and the numbers prove it.”
Homan described discussions with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and said Ellison “clarified for me” that county jails can notify ICE about criminal noncitizens so ICE can take custody. Homan called that process the safest route for removal and an efficient way to reduce federal footprint in the state. He framed targeted custody notifications as a practical tool for protecting the public while allowing federal drawdown when appropriate.
He also reminded the public and officers that ICE and Border Patrol are accountable to the law and to oversight. “We’re not making this up folks: ICE is enforcing the laws enacted by Congress through a federal statute. That said, I am not here because the federal government has carried it’s mission out perfectly[….] Nothing’s ever perfect, anything can be improved upon,” Homan said, stressing reforms and adjustments will be made under his direction. He promised to implement improvements where needed.
Homan insisted enforcement will continue to be targeted and focused on public safety threats. “We will conduct targeted enforcement operations. Targeted. What we’ve done for decades. We’ll hit the streets, we know exactly who we’re looking for. Good idea of where to find them. We have their criminal history, we have their immigration history,” he said. He closed that section with a firm line: “We are not surrendering the president’s mission on immigration enforcement. Let’s make that clear.”
Homan expressed concern for the safety of federal officers operating in a hostile environment and called for an end to the dangerous rhetoric that has accompanied protests. He described the emotional toll on agents and pleaded with those stoking confrontation to stop, saying injuries and deaths have followed heated talk. “I have begged. I said in March that if the rhetoric didn’t stop, there was going to be bloodshed. And there has been. I wish I wasn’t right. I don’t want to see anybody die. Not officers. Not members of the community. And not the targets of our operations.”
Homan urged peaceful, lawful protest and directed activists to seek change through Congress rather than through obstruction or violence. He noted commitments from local chiefs to respond to 911 calls and keep the peace when protests turn violent, even if they will not enforce immigration law directly. Homan wrapped with thanks for leaders he has met and a promise to continue work to secure public safety in Minneapolis.
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