President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is sending his border czar, Tom Homan, to Minnesota in the wake of recent violence in Minneapolis tied to the federal immigration crackdown, signaling a direct presidential intervention amid rising tensions over the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, saying Homan will head to Minnesota that night to take charge on the ground and report directly to the president. “Tom is tough but fair,” Trump wrote, underscoring his confidence in Homan’s experience and leadership as the situation unfolds.
Homan, who has served as border czar and previously led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Trump administration, is being sent to manage ICE operations amid heightened public scrutiny and protests over the Minneapolis deployment. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Homan will oversee ICE operations and continue efforts to apprehend dangerous criminal illegal aliens, while also coordinating with those investigating alleged widespread welfare fraud in Minnesota.
The decision to send Homan comes against the backdrop of two separate shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis over the past month, including the killing of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti during an immigration enforcement operation. Pretti’s death has sparked public outcry, legal challenges and calls from local officials for federal agents to leave the city.
While Trump is reinforcing federal authority, local Democrats in Minnesota — including Gov. Tim Walz — have criticized the deployment and demanded state oversight of investigations into the shootings. Meanwhile, legal battles are underway, with federal judges considering whether to pause parts of the federal immigration crackdown in response to mounting unrest.
Trump’s move to send Homan also reflects political pressure from both sides of the aisle for greater accountability and oversight of federal immigration tactics. Some Republican lawmakers have called for thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death, emphasizing the need for transparency and justice while reaffirming support for immigration enforcement.
The administration maintains that its posture in Minnesota is driven by law enforcement priorities and national security concerns, citing the removal of criminal illegal aliens and enforcement of federal immigration laws. Northern District Judge Katherine Menendez is considering legal arguments that could temporarily halt elements of the federal operation, adding another layer of complexity to the situation on the ground.
Homan’s arrival is also being viewed as a managerial shift that may balance criticism of DHS leadership with the need for seasoned immigration enforcement oversight in a hotly contested environment. Though DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has publicly supported their operations in Minnesota, Trump’s direct appointment of Homan to manage the situation signals confidence in his ability to handle delicate enforcement and public relations challenges.
The broader context of the deployment includes a multibillion-dollar fraud investigation in the state that has become a focal point for Trump administration criticism of local leadership and has been cited as justification for increased federal involvement. Homan’s role will involve coordinating with investigators probing that scheme, which federal officials say has siphoned off billions of taxpayer dollars.
With protests continuing and legal scrutiny intensifying, Homan’s deployment is intended to reassure both federal agents and the administration’s supporters that Washington remains firmly in charge and committed to enforcing immigration laws while addressing fallout from the recent fatal shooting.
[READ MORE: Trump Orders Review of Minneapolis Border Patrol Shooting, Sends In Homan]
