Democrat Governor Tim Walz has accused President Donald Trump and his administration of carrying out an “un-American” immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
Gov. Walz attacked the president in a blistering op-ed in The Wall Street Journal just days after a second fatal confrontation involving federal officers in Minneapolis.
In the piece, titled “The Un-American Assault on Minnesota,” Walz claimed the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts had crossed the line from lawful policing into what he described as a campaign of abuse.
“The Trump administration’s assault on Minnesota long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement,” Walz wrote.
“It is a campaign of organized brutality against the people of our state.
“It isn’t just. It isn’t legal. And, critically, it isn’t making anyone any safer.”
Op-Ed Follows Fatal Shooting During Enforcement Operation
Walz’s op-ed followed the fatal shooting of armed anti-ICE activist Alex Pretti, who was killed during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis over the weekend.
The incident marked the second deadly encounter tied to immigration enforcement in the city in recent weeks as activists continue to interfere with federal operations.
In his column, Walz leveled a series of false allegations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents, asserting that Minnesotans were being subjected to unconstitutional tactics.
“Everyone wants to see our immigration laws enforced,” Walz wrote.
“That isn’t what is happening in Minnesota.
“In recent weeks, masked agents have abducted children,” he claimed, without evidence.
“They have separated children from their parents.
“They have racially profiled off-duty police officers.
“They have aggressively pulled people over and demanded to see their papers.
“They have broken into the homes of elderly citizens without warrants to drag them outside in freezing temperatures.”
Walz Disputes ICE Claims on Criminal Arrests
Walz also challenged claims made by ICE regarding criminal detainers and arrests, specifically referencing a public post involving Cottonwood County.
“This week, ICE tweeted that rural Cottonwood County had refused to honor a detainer for an alleged child sex predator. That’s not true,” Walz wrote.
“The county sheriff followed procedure and contacted ICE when the subject posted bail, but ICE agents were too busy wreaking havoc in the Twin Cities to do their actual job and pick the prisoner up.”
Walz appeared to be referencing a post shared on X by ICE.
White House Pushes Back, Defends Enforcement
The White House forcefully rejected Walz’s characterization of federal operations, saying Minnesota Democrats were undermining law enforcement while defending criminal illegal aliens.
“President Trump wants to work with local leaders to remove the worst of the worst from American communities,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement.
“In Minnesota, ICE has arrested rapists, drug traffickers, domestic abusers, and more, despite Democrat opposition.”
Jackson continued:
“Tim Walz, Jacob Frey, and Democrat leaders in Minnesota have done nothing but turn up the temperature and smear ICE officers – all in defense of criminal illegal aliens.
“Walz and Frey should work with the Trump Administration to get these dangerous criminals off their streets.”
Walz Accuses Trump of Seeking Chaos
In his op-ed, Walz accused the president of intentionally escalating tensions in hopes of provoking unrest.
“That isn’t effective law enforcement. It isn’t following the rule of law. It’s chaos. It’s illegal. And it’s un-American,” Walz wrote.
He claimed Trump wanted protests to devolve into riots but insisted Minnesotans would not comply.
“They are protesting—loudly and urgently, but also peacefully,” Walz said.
“This assault on our communities is not necessary to enforce our immigration laws.
“We don’t have to choose between open borders and whatever the hell this is.”
Trump Signals Cooperation After Call with Walz
Despite the harsh rhetoric, President Donald Trump struck a more conciliatory tone Monday, revealing that he and Walz spoke directly and agreed to coordinate.
“Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“It was a very good call, and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength.”
Trump said he told Walz that border czar Tom Homan would be reaching out and emphasized that the administration’s focus remains on criminals.
“What we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession,” Trump wrote.
“The Governor, very respectfully, understood that,” he added, noting that Walz welcomed Homan’s involvement.
Trump also highlighted enforcement successes nationwide.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“But both Governor Walz and I want to make it better!”
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