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Trump Orders Softer Immigration Tactics as Minnesota Federal Agent Drawdown Begins

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  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks to reporters while visiting Capitol HIll
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  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks to reporters while visiting Capitol HIll
    Image: BBC
    Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks to reporters while visiting Capitol HIll (Getty Images) Source Full size

President Calls for Gentler Approach While Withdrawing 700 Officers On February 5, President Donald Trump urged a “softer touch” in Minnesota, announcing the removal of roughly 700 ICE and Border Patrol agents and leaving about 2,000 officers on the ground, a step toward pre‑Operation Metro Surge levels [1]. The announcement followed weeks of protests after the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, which intensified calls for a reduced federal presence [2][5]. Governor Tim Walz praised the pullback but demanded a faster, larger drawdown and state‑led investigations into the killings [1].

Drawdown Linked to Local Cooperation and New ICE Guidance Border czar Tom Homan said the reduction will proceed only if state and local officials cooperate and “hateful rhetoric” ends, promising a more targeted operation without specifying exact numbers [3][2]. An internal memo revealed ICE agents are now ordered to avoid “agitators,” focus on immigrants with criminal histories, use megaphones for arrests, and equip Minneapolis officers with body‑worn cameras [1][4]. Homan emphasized that cooperation from correctional facilities and county sheriffs is already in place, but full compliance could accelerate the drawdown [3].

Pretti and Good Killings Fuel Protests and Legislative Action The shootings of Alex Pretti on January 24 and Renee Good earlier in the month sparked citywide demonstrations and demands from Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Walz for a complete withdrawal of federal personnel [2][5]. Senate Democrats leveraged a looming government shutdown to demand tighter ICE warrants, mandatory body‑camera use, and a code of conduct matching state police standards [5]. Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune called for an independent probe of the Pretti shooting, while Trump warned Frey that non‑enforcement is “playing with fire” [5].

Internal DOJ Turmoil and Congressional Funding Standoff DOJ attorney Julie Le was removed after publicly criticizing the immigration system during a court hearing, highlighting internal dissent within the Justice Department [1]. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Stephen Miller amid reports of presidential unease over his immigration stance [1]. Meanwhile, seven Senate Republicans joined Democrats to block DHS funding in a spending bill, forcing negotiations that could strip new DHS money unless ICE reforms are adopted [2].

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Timeline

Dec 1, 2025 – The Trump administration launches “Operation Metro Surge,” deploying roughly 3,000 ICE, Border Patrol and DHS officers to Minnesota, outnumbering local police and marking the most aggressive immigration‑enforcement sweep in recent history [28][30].

Early Jan 2026 – ICE officers shoot immigrant activist Renee Good in her vehicle during a Minneapolis protest, igniting nationwide outrage; Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul file a lawsuit demanding the federal presence be rolled back to pre‑surge levels [2][28][30].

Jan 24, 2026 – Border Patrol agents fatally shoot ICU nurse and protester Alex Pretti; video later shows he is unarmed, contradicting the administration’s initial claim that he was an “agitator” and “domestic terrorist” [2][3][6].

Jan 26, 2026 – President Trump appoints “border czar” Tom Homan to oversee ICE in Minnesota, describing him as “tough but fair” and signaling a shift away from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s handling of the Pretti shooting; the White House announces that Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino will leave Minneapolis, though DHS later says he remains on the team [15][18][24][27].

Jan 27, 2026 – Trump posts that he and Governor Tim Walz are “on a similar wavelength,” calls his call with the governor “very good,” softens rhetoric on the Pretti killing, and orders an “honest” investigation while ICE prepares to support security at the upcoming Milan‑Cortina Winter Games (Feb 6‑22) [20][21][22].

Jan 28, 2026 – In a two‑hour Oval Office meeting, Trump shifts blame for the Pretti death to DHS Secretary Noem and tells Fox News “We’re going to de‑escalate a little bit,” while a CNN/SSRS poll shows 52 % of Americans think ICE actions have gone too far [6][14].

Jan 29, 2026 – Homan says a drawdown of roughly 3,000 federal officers will occur only if state and local leaders cooperate and curb “hateful rhetoric,” while the White House issues new ICE guidance that bars agents from engaging agitators and places the agents involved in the Pretti shooting on administrative leave [4][19][1].

Jan 30, 2026 – Homan tells reporters the administration will “draw down” its Minnesota presence provided officials work with federal authorities, promising a more targeted operation but giving no specific numbers [2][19].

Feb 4, 2026 – Trump urges a “softer touch” as his administration withdraws about 700 ICE agents from Minnesota, reducing the force to roughly 2,000 and pledging body‑worn cameras for Minneapolis police; Governor Tim Walz welcomes the pullback but calls for a faster, larger drawdown [1].

Feb 6‑22, 2026 – ICE is slated to provide security support for diplomatic missions during the Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics, despite opposition from the host city’s mayor [21].

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