President Donald Trump signaled Wednesday that his administration may adjust the tone of its immigration enforcement strategy, suggesting a “softer touch” following intense backlash over a sweeping federal operation in Minnesota that has drawn national scrutiny.
In an interview with NBC News anchor Tom Llamas, Trump addressed recent developments in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area, where thousands of federal agents were deployed as part of what the Department of Homeland Security described as the largest immigration enforcement action in U.S. history. The operation has been sharply criticized in the wake of two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, during separate encounters with federal officers in January.
NOW – Trump says he is adjusting his mass deportations policy to only go into cities if the mayors or governors "ask" and "say please," adding, "I don't want to go and force ourselves into a city, even if their numbers are terrible." pic.twitter.com/xji3FfEl42
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 5, 2026
Asked what lessons he had drawn from the Minnesota operation, Trump said, “I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough.”
The president emphasized that his administration’s central focus remains on removing individuals who pose serious threats to public safety, while acknowledging the political and community fallout triggered by aggressive enforcement tactics. He also described personal outreach to state and local leaders in an effort to ease tensions.
“We’re dealing with really hard criminals, but look, I’ve called the people. I’ve called the governor. I’ve called the mayor, spoke to them, had great conversations with them. And then I see them ranting and raving out there, literally, as though a call wasn’t made. We’ve done a great job everywhere,” Trump said.
The remarks came as federal officials announced a partial drawdown of personnel in Minnesota, noted The Daily Caller. Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, said improved cooperation from state and local authorities—including more effective notification and transfer procedures for undocumented immigrants with criminal records held in local jails—had reduced the need for a large federal presence.
As a result, DHS will immediately withdraw 700 federal law enforcement officers from the state, scaling the force down from an initial surge of roughly 3,000 agents to about 2,000 still operating in Minnesota. Homan framed the move as a shift toward safer and more targeted enforcement.
“Given this increase in unprecedented collaboration and as a result of the need for less law enforcement officers to do this work in a safer environment, I have announced, effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people effective today,” Homan said.
The enforcement effort, known as Operation Metro Surge, has focused on apprehending individuals with serious criminal histories. However, the deaths of two American citizens during the operation have sparked protests and renewed demands for accountability, intensifying scrutiny of federal immigration tactics.
Trump has previously raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act to respond to unrest linked to immigration enforcement. His latest comments, however, suggest an acknowledgement that a recalibration in how ICE is deployed.
