Trump Puts Homan In Charge of Immigration Ops In Minneapolis
President Donald J. Trump has moved to place White House Border Czar Tom Homan in direct command of federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, a decisive step aimed at restoring order and clarity amid rising political tensions and public unrest following recent fatal encounters involving federal agents.
“I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me,” Trump wrote Monday in a post on Truth Social.
The move represents a clear shift in the federal command structure, with Homan reporting directly to the president rather than operating through the Department of Homeland Security. The change effectively sidelines DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as the White House consolidates operational authority at the presidential level in response to what officials view as an increasingly volatile situation.
Federal immigration operations in Minneapolis have faced intense scrutiny after two fatal incidents earlier this month. The most recent occurred over the weekend, when a Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, during an enforcement operation. Federal officials have said Pretti was armed and confronted agents as they attempted to arrest a suspected violent criminal alien who was in the country illegally.
Earlier in the month, an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good after she allegedly used her vehicle to strike an agent while attempting to flee. Authorities said Good and her wife had followed agents throughout the day, refused commands to exit the vehicle, and escalated the encounter by driving into an officer.
Left-wing activist groups and Democratic officials have seized on both incidents to fuel protests and amplify criticism of federal immigration enforcement, framing the operations as reckless while challenging the federal government’s authority to carry out immigration law.
In announcing Homan’s deployment, President Trump made clear that federal enforcement efforts in Minnesota will continue and that agents will not be pulled back in response to political pressure. Homan, a veteran immigration official with decades of experience, is expected to oversee operational coordination, public messaging, and engagement with state and local leaders.
Trump said Homan will also serve as the primary liaison with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as federal and state officials work through the fallout from protests and public backlash. Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have previously called for a reduction in the federal presence, citing concerns about public safety and community trust.
The president also disclosed that he spoke with both Walz and Frey on Monday.
Of his conversation with the governor, Trump wrote: “Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota. It was a very good call, and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength. I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession. The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I! We have had such tremendous SUCCESS in Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and virtually every other place that we have ‘touched’ and, even in Minnesota, Crime is way down, but both Governor Walz and I want to make it better!”
Trump also described his call with Minneapolis’ mayor, writing: “I just had a very good telephone conversation with Mayor Jacob Frey, of Minneapolis. Lots of progress is being made! Tom Homan will be meeting with him tomorrow in order to continue the discussion.”
Administration officials say the decision to put Homan in charge is intended to stabilize the situation by imposing clear leadership and discipline as events continue to unfold. Homan has repeatedly emphasized targeted enforcement, firm adherence to federal law, and coordination with local authorities where feasible—principles the White House believes are necessary to counter political obstruction and restore public confidence.