President Donald Trump sharply criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey this week after Frey publicly said that his city will not help enforce federal immigration laws. Trump took to his social media platform to express frustration, saying that Frey’s statement was not only surprising — given that they had recently talked — but also a “serious violation of the law” and “playing with fire.”
This public clash highlights growing tension between the federal government and the city of Minneapolis over immigration enforcement, especially after controversial actions by federal agencies in the state. Minneapolis has long been known as a sanctuary city — meaning local authorities generally do not assist with federal immigration arrests — and Frey has stuck by that stance in recent years.
Frey’s current comments came after a meeting with Tom Homan, a senior federal immigration official whom Trump has designated as a “border czar” to oversee enforcement in Minnesota. After their discussion, Frey told reporters he made it clear that Minneapolis will not enforce federal immigration law and that the city remains focused on keeping residents safe.
Trump, however, insisted that Frey’s refusal is legally problematic. He urged people close to the mayor to explain to him “that this statement is a very serious violation of the law.” The president’s comments reflect broader disagreements about how immigration policy should be carried out at both the local and national level.
Adding to the tension is a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota known as “Operation Metro Surge,” which has placed a large number of federal officers in Minneapolis and other areas of the state. This deployment has been controversial, especially after two Americans — including a 37-year-old ICU nurse, Alex Pretti — were killed during enforcement actions. Videos and reports from these incidents have sparked public outrage, protests, and widespread criticism.
The backlash to these events has made the situation even more complicated. Many residents and local officials say the federal presence has led to violence and fear rather than increased public safety. Frey and other leaders have argued that such aggressive enforcement undermines community trust and places undue strain on local law enforcement.
In response to public pressure and political controversy, Trump has taken steps to recalibrate his approach in Minnesota. He replaced the controversial local Border Patrol commander with Homan, emphasizing that the change was meant to ease tensions rather than retreat from enforcement. Trump insisted that the federal government is not backing down from its immigration policies but is making adjustments in how they are applied.
Following a phone call with Trump, Mayor Frey said that Trump agreed the situation “cannot continue as it has been.” Frey also announced that some federal immigration agents would begin leaving Minneapolis, although details about the number of agents and the timeline were not clear. The mayor said he would continue to push for more federal officers to leave while maintaining cooperation on local criminal investigations.
Meanwhile, public protests have not been limited to Minneapolis alone. The outcry over immigration enforcement operations and violent incidents has drawn attention from politicians across the country, including criticism from former presidents and lawmakers who say that aggressive federal action is worsening divisions rather than solving problems.
The dispute also plays out against broader national debates over how immigration laws should be enforced and who should be responsible for that enforcement. Many sanctuary cities like Minneapolis argue that local police should focus on community safety without becoming involved in federal immigration actions, while federal leaders say they need local cooperation to enforce national laws effectively.
At the center of the current conflict is the relationship between the White House and local leaders like Frey. Trump’s warning that the mayor is “playing with fire” underscores how sharply views differ on immigration and how political and legal disagreements over this issue can quickly become headlines.
