Trump Weighs Slashing ICE Presence In Minnesota After 'Shockingly Friendly' Call With Tim Walz

President Donald Trump has signalled he may reduce federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota after a telephone call with Governor Tim Walz, who described the conversation as unexpectedly cordial. The 26 January discussion focused on scaling back US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in the state after a period of civil unrest and two fatal shootings involving federal agents.

The call marks a rare moment of cooperation between the two leaders after months of tension over Operation Metro Surge, a federal enforcement operation that deployed thousands of ICE and Border Protection agents to Minneapolis and St Paul, drawing fierce criticism from state officials and triggering legal challenges.

Relations Between Federal and State Officials Reach Breaking Point

Tensions escalated after the deployment of federal agents under Operation Metro Surge, an enforcement initiative targeting alleged criminal illegal immigrants in Minneapolis and St Paul. Governor Walz publicly condemned the operation, urging Trump to withdraw agents and accusing them of creating fear in communities.

Videos circulating on social media documented confrontations between federal agents and residents, sparking large protests. The situation reached a critical point after Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, and Renée Good were killed in separate incidents involving federal agents.

Local authorities, activists, and state officials challenged federal claims that the shootings were defensive, pointing to video evidence suggesting Pretti and Good posed no direct threat. The deaths intensified public outcry and deepened fractures between state and federal authorities.

Minnesota's Governor Appeals to Trump in Public Pleas

In speeches and statements in the weeks before the call, Walz issued emotional appeals for restraint. He urged Trump to 'turn the temperature down' and remove federal agents before further lives were lost, stressing that Minnesota could handle public safety through its own systems.

'You can end this today,' Walz said during a news conference, arguing that continued enforcement risked further fatalities and undermined trust in law enforcement. His office said 'humane, focused, effective immigration control' was preferable to what he called an overly militarised approach.

Federal Legal and Political Pressures Mount

The dispute has extended into legal territory. The US Department of Justice issued subpoenas to Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison as part of a grand jury investigation into whether the state's opposition to federal enforcement constituted obstruction of justice. State officials strongly denied wrongdoing, framing the subpoenas as politically motivated.

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction restricting federal agents from arresting or using force against peaceful observers, underscoring judicial recognition of constitutional tensions. State legal actions also seek to prevent the destruction of evidence related to the shootings.

'Productive Call' Signals Unusual Breakthrough Between Trump and Walz

According to Walz's office, the governor made the case for impartial state investigations into the fatal shootings and emphasised the need to reduce the number of federal agents operating in Minnesota. Trump agreed to engage with the Department of Homeland Security about allowing state authorities to conduct independent inquiries and to examine the possibility of decreasing the federal presence.

The characterisation of the conversation as 'productive' and 'shockingly friendly' stands in contrast to earlier exchanges, which had been marked by sharp criticism from both sides. Trump's willingness to discuss adjustments may reflect mounting political pressure as legal challenges intensify and public opinion weighs the costs of aggressive enforcement.

The Human Toll

Beyond the legal manoeuvring, the human impact continues across Minnesota communities. Immigrant advocates argue that heavily armed federal agents have disrupted daily life, traumatised families, and deterred residents from engaging with essential services.

Supporters of federal enforcement argue that targeting illegal immigrants is necessary to uphold the rule of law and protect public safety, citing arrests that include individuals charged with violent and non-violent offences.

Trump's openness to re-evaluating ICE's footprint in Minnesota could influence Congressional action and executive branch practices as legal challenges advance and public scrutiny deepens.