In January 2026, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and President Donald Trump held a pivotal phone conversation that signaled a potential shift in the aggressive federal immigration crackdown that has recently gripped the state. For over a year, the two leaders had been bitter political rivals, but the fatal shootings of two Minnesotans by federal agents finally brought them to the table.
The call centered on “Operation Metro Surge,” a massive federal deployment of thousands of immigration agents to Minnesota. This operation has sparked nationwide outrage, especially following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The governor’s office described the conversation as “productive,” noting that Walz pushed for independent investigations into these shootings. Specifically, Walz asked that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension be allowed to conduct impartial probes, a request the President reportedly agreed to discuss with the Department of Homeland Security.
Governor Walz also urged the President to reduce the sheer number of federal agents in the state. For weeks, local leaders have argued that the heavy-handed tactics of these agents have turned Minneapolis into a “city under siege.” Video evidence of the recent shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, appeared to contradict initial federal claims that he was an armed “domestic terrorist.” Instead, footage showed Pretti holding only a cellphone. This discrepancy led to a rare moment of bipartisan concern, with even some Republican lawmakers calling for more transparency.
On his part, President Trump characterized the call as “very good,” stating that he and Walz were on a “similar wavelength.” He announced a change in leadership for the Minnesota operations, sending “border czar” Tom Homan to oversee the situation. This move is seen as a way to sideline the previous commanders whose aggressive rhetoric fueled much of the local tension. Trump expressed a desire to coordinate better with state officials to focus on “violent criminals” rather than the broad, chaotic sweeps that have disrupted daily life.
While the phone call suggested a “reset,” the situation on the ground remains tense. Governor Walz has emphasized that while he is glad to see a shift in tone, he is more interested in seeing actual results, such as the removal of unnecessary federal forces and true accountability for the lives lost. For now, the “productive” call offers a glimmer of hope that the standoff between the state of Minnesota and the federal government might finally begin to de-escalate.
