White House border czar Tom Homan publicly addressed the situation in Minneapolis for the first time Thursday morning, offering new insight into how the Trump administration is recalibrating its immigration enforcement strategy amid escalating protests and political backlash.
Homan arrived in the Twin Cities earlier this week but intentionally stayed out of the spotlight while holding closed-door meetings with federal, state, and local officials. At his press conference, he made clear he was not sent for optics or confrontation, but to correct problems and restore order.
“I’m not here because the federal government has carried out its mission perfectly,” Homan said. “I come here looking for solutions. Nothing’s ever perfect. Anything can be improved on.”
President Donald Trump dispatched Homan to Minneapolis after removing Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino from the operation. Bovino had become the public face of a more aggressive approach, frequently appearing with heavily armed agents in high-profile street deployments. Homan acknowledged that the administration recognized the need for changes.
“President Trump and I, along with others in the administration, have recognized that certain improvements could and should be made,” Homan said. “That’s exactly what I’m doing here.”
Since arriving, Homan has met with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Attorney General Keith Ellison, all of whom have openly opposed the immigration raids. Despite those tensions, Homan said progress has been made behind the scenes.
“I’ve heard many people ask why we’re talking to people they don’t consider friends of the administration,” Homan said. “You can’t fix problems if you don’t have discussions.”
One of the most significant developments was Ellison’s indication that county jails may begin notifying ICE about release dates for criminal illegal aliens, allowing agents to take custody directly from detention facilities rather than making arrests in the community.
“More agents in the jail means less agents in the street,” Homan said. “This is common sense cooperation. It allows us to draw down the number of people we have here.”
Homan said if that cooperation materializes, the federal footprint in Minnesota will shrink, shifting enforcement away from neighborhoods and toward controlled, secure environments. He emphasized that the mission remains enforcement of federal law, but with clearer priorities.
“All operations will be targeted,” Homan said. “The prioritization is criminal aliens, public safety threats, and national security threats. If you’re in the country illegally, you’re never off the table, but we’ve got plenty to keep us busy.”
Homan also broke sharply from earlier rhetoric used by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. While Noem immediately labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” Homan declined to speculate and said the investigation must be allowed to run its course.
“From day one, I’ve said we let the investigation play out,” Homan said. “If any agents are not adhering to our standards of conduct, they’ll be dealt with.”
The press conference underscored a clear shift in tone and tactics. With Homan now overseeing operations, the Trump administration is signaling a move away from spectacle and toward a quieter, more focused enforcement strategy aimed at reducing chaos while maintaining pressure on criminal illegal aliens.
The post Homan’s Presser Sheds Light On Trump Admin’s Shift On Minneapolis Immigration Raids appeared first on Real News Now.
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