Donald Trump Says Minneapolis Taught Him a 'Softer Touch' May Be Needed on Immigration

President Donald Trump has signalled a minor change in his immigration enforcement tone after deadly confrontations in Minneapolis, saying the events taught him that 'maybe we could use a little bit of a softer touch'.

In an interview with NBC's Nightly News, Trump sought to balance this comment with reassurance that enforcement remains firm, saying 'you still have to be tough'.

The remarks follow Operation Metro Surge, which drew sharp criticism and sparked a broader debate over enforcement tactics and public trust.

The Deadly Operation Metro Surge

Federal agents were deployed to Minneapolis in unprecedented numbers late last year under what the administration called Operation Metro Surge, a massive sweep aimed at detaining undocumented migrants and those with criminal records.

At its height, roughly 3,000 agents, many from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), patrolled the Twin Cities. But the operation was marred by tragedy.

In early January, Renee Nicole Good, a 37‑year‑old mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE agent during protests against the federal presence. Weeks later, 37‑year‑old intensive‑care nurse Alex Pretti was killed in another confrontation that was captured on video.

These deaths sparked national outcry and questions about federal oversight and use of force. Critics said the operation fractured trust between communities and law enforcement.

Democrats Think Trump is Bluffing

But not everyone accepts the president's softening language at face value. Democratic leaders from Minnesota, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, praised the partial drawdown but said it does not go far enough.

They, along with civil rights advocates, argue the federal response fractured trust in law enforcement and harmed immigrant communities. Critics continue to demand a complete halt to the operation and thorough investigations into the killings.

Meanwhile, some polls suggest that Trump's handling of the situation has dented his public support. A majority of Americans disapprove of how his administration is enforcing immigration laws, and many believe the government has not been transparent in its accounts of the fatal shootings.

Even allies within his own party have expressed unease. Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the optics of the federal response in Minneapolis and urged more careful engagement with local officials.

Trump's concession of a softer touch may be aimed as much at placating these internal critics as at addressing public outrage.

What 'A Softer Touch' Really Means

But the 'softer touch' doesn't mean Trump is suddenly going easy on immigration enforcement. Instead, he's signalling a minor adjustment.

Around 700 federal immigration officers are being pulled out of Minnesota, which is significant but still leaves about 2,000 agents active. Local sheriffs and authorities are cooperating by notifying federal officials about detainees who can be transferred, allowing the operation to continue in a narrower, more controlled way.

White House border czar Tom Homan has described the reduction of agents as a tactical shift, not a change in mission: deportations and detentions will continue.

Yet the president's guarded messaging may not be the political reality his supporters had even envisioned.

For years, Trump's brand of immigration policy has thrived on border walls, mass deportations, and zero‑tolerance enforcement. To speak of a softer touch is to acknowledge that they're losing the game they started.

It remains to be seen whether this adjustment will translate into a policy change or will be remembered as a brief detour from hardline crackdowns.