Trump blasts Mayor Frey, defends immigration crackdown after Minneapolis protester shootings
Minneapolis, United States: President Donald Trump has accused Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of “playing with fire” after the city’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, following the fatal shootings of two protesters by immigration agents that have sparked nationwide anger.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Frey’s stance amounted to “a serious violation of the law”, contradicting his own earlier remarks about wanting to “de-escalate” tensions. The president has since reshuffled the leadership of immigration agents deployed in Minneapolis, appointing a less confrontational figure to oversee operations.
Mayor Frey reiterated that Minneapolis would not use city resources to enforce federal immigration laws. “we will remain focused on keeping our neighbors and streets safe,” he wrote on X, adding that the operation had placed a heavy strain on local police.
Trump’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis
Minneapolis has become the centre of national tensions over Trump’s immigration crackdown. The White House maintains its focus is on “hardened criminals”, but the use of masked, heavily armed agents to detain people from homes, workplaces and streets has shocked many Americans.
Trump’s attention on Minnesota is also linked to a corruption probe involving Somali immigrants, which he and right-wing media outlets have amplified as evidence of criminality. He has repeatedly targeted Somali-born congresswoman Ilhan Omar, saying she should be sent back to Somalia.
On Tuesday evening, Omar was attacked with an unidentified liquid while addressing constituents, before security intervened. “We are Minnesota strong and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us,” Omar told the crowd afterwards.
Protester killings fuel fury
The controversy intensified after immigration officers shot dead two protesters at close range this month. The latest victim, intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, was forced to the ground and shot multiple times by camouflaged agents.
Senior Trump aide Stephen Miller initially defended the killing, calling Pretti a “would-be assassin”, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labelled him a “domestic terrorist”. However, video evidence showed the 37-year-old posed no threat. Miller later admitted the agents “may not have followed protocol”.
Despite striking a more conciliatory tone on Tuesday, Trump insisted there would be no “pullback” and rejected calls to dismiss Noem. Democrats in Congress are now threatening to block government funding unless reforms are introduced to curb the military-style tactics of immigration agencies.
International figures have also weighed in. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Pretti’s death as “concerning”, while French basketball star Victor Wembanyama said he was “horrified” by the incident.