Minneapolis: U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing him of “playing with fire” after Frey reiterated that his city would not assist federal immigration agents in enforcing immigration laws. The confrontation underscores growing tensions between the federal government and local officials over aggressive immigration crackdowns that have recently sparked national controversy.
Trump’s public rebuke came only a day after the White House signaled it planned to “de-escalate” its operation in Minneapolis, appointing his top border enforcement official, Tom Homan, to replace the highly criticized Border Patrol commander whose tactics drew widespread alarm. Observers, however, noted that immigration enforcement activity in the city has remained visible, even if somewhat more targeted than before.
The row erupted amid heightened anger following two fatal shootings by federal agents, including the death of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti, whose killing during a federal operation triggered protests and reignited debate over immigration policing. Community observers described the recent federal enforcement efforts as heavy-handed and intimidating, involving large convoys of armed agents entering neighbourhoods.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump accused Mayor Frey of violating federal law by stating that Minneapolis would not enforce immigration laws. “Could somebody in his inner sanctum please explain that this statement is a very serious violation of the Law, and that he is PLAYING WITH FIRE!” the president wrote, warning that such defiance threatens public safety and federal authority.
Mayor Frey responded defiantly, asserting that local police should prioritize public safety over enforcing federal immigration mandates, and stressing that his administration will cooperate with lawful criminal investigations just not unconstitutional mass immigration arrests.
Despite Trump’s rhetoric, the shift in federal leadership and rhetoric suggests a possible attempt to ease the political fallout, with Homan’s arrival intended to emphasize more targeted operations. Yet activists and residents remain sceptical of any fundamental change in how immigration enforcement is conducted on the ground. Some federal agents continue to be seen in the city, knocking on doors and checking identities, raising concerns among civil liberties advocates.
The episode has also triggered broader political reactions. U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar was sprayed with a foul-smelling liquid by an attacker during a Minneapolis town hall a stark indicator of the charged atmosphere surrounding the issue. Omar, a frequent Trump critic, was unharmed and the assailant was taken into custody by local police.
The controversy has reverberated beyond Minnesota. Federal actions have drawn diplomatic pushback after an attempt by an immigration agent to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis, prompting a formal protest by the Ecuadorian government. Meanwhile, calls for independent investigations and accountability have emerged from within both major U.S. political parties.
As the federal administration navigates backlash over its immigration policies, the standoff with Minneapolis’ leadership highlights the deepening divide between national enforcement priorities and local government resistance raising questions about both legal boundaries and political strategy ahead.