Trump Signals “Softer Touch” in Minnesota as Homan Orders Immediate Withdrawal of 700 Federal Agents (Video)

MINNEAPOLIS — In a significant shift for “Operation Metro Surge,” Border Czar Tom Homan announced Wednesday the immediate withdrawal of 700 federal immigration and border patrol agents from Minnesota. The move follows a directive from President Donald Trump, who admitted in a recent interview that the federal government could use a “little bit of a softer touch” after a month of escalating violence and public outcry in the Twin Cities.

The withdrawal reduces the federal presence in the state from approximately 3,000 to roughly 2,000 personnel. For context, Minnesota typically hosts only 150 ICE agents under normal operating conditions. This tactical retreat comes as the administration faces intense scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens—nurse Renee Good and protester Alex Pretti—by federal agents during enforcement actions.

A New Tactical Approach

Standing at the Bishop Whipple Federal Building, Tom Homan framed the drawdown not as a retreat, but as a result of “unprecedented collaboration” with local authorities.

“Given this increase in collaboration, and as a result of the need for fewer public safety officers to do this work in a safer environment, I am announcing, effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people,” Homan told reporters. He explained that several Minnesota counties have begun to negotiate agreements to allow ICE to take custody of undocumented individuals directly from jails. By shifting enforcement from “at-large” street arrests to jail-to-ICE transfers, Homan argued that fewer boots on the ground are required to maintain public safety.

The administration also announced new operational guardrails for the remaining 2,000 agents:

• Targeted Enforcement: Agents have been instructed to focus exclusively on “criminal targets” with a verified criminal nexus.
• Body Cameras: A new mandate requires federal agents in the Twin Cities to wear body-worn cameras, addressing a long-standing demand for transparency following the recent fatalities.
• Non-Engagement with Protesters: New directives explicitly advise officers not to engage with “agitators” or demonstrators, following weeks of clashes between protesters and federal units.

The President’s “Softer Touch”

In an interview with NBC News, President Trump acknowledged that the intensity of the Minnesota surge had perhaps reached a breaking point. “I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch,” Trump said. “But you still have to be tough. These are criminals we’re dealing with, really hard criminals.”

The President claimed the decision to scale back the surge was his own, though he coupled the announcement with continued pressure on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Despite the more conciliatory tone, Trump reiterated that his goal of mass deportations remains the administration’s primary objective, suggesting that if local cooperation falters, the “toughness” could return.

Local Impact and Legal Battles

The “softening” of the administration’s stance has not quelled the legal and social firestorms ignited by the surge. On the same day as Homan’s announcement, two Minnesota school districts and the state’s teachers’ union filed a federal lawsuit. The suit seeks to block ICE from conducting operations near schools, citing a “chilling effect” that has caused a dramatic drop in attendance and forced some districts to expand online learning options to keep students safe.

The lawsuit challenges the administration’s January 20, 2025, decision to rescind the “sensitive locations” policy, which previously restricted enforcement at schools, hospitals, and churches. Reports indicate that federal agents have staged operations in school parking lots and near bus stops, fueling an atmosphere of fear that critics say transcends immigration status.

Governor Tim Walz, while acknowledging the drawdown as a “step toward sanity,” maintained that the presence of 2,000 federal agents—still more than ten times the state’s usual allotment—remains a destabilizing force. Meanwhile, the family of Renee Good testified on Capitol Hill this week, pleading for permanent legislative changes to prevent future tragedies.

The Path Forward

Despite the reduction in personnel, the White House continues to tout the results of Operation Metro Surge. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that more than 4,000 “criminal illegal aliens” have been arrested in Minnesota since the operation began, including individuals with convictions for homicide, assault, and gang involvement.

Homan warned that the drawdown is conditional. A full withdrawal will only occur if “interference” with federal agents stops and local jails continue to facilitate direct transfers. For now, the Twin Cities remain a laboratory for the Trump administration’s evolving immigration strategy: a high-stakes balance between the President’s “softer touch” and his unwavering commitment to a national deportation mandate.

Sources and Links

• CBS News: Trump says the lesson from Minneapolis is to use a “softer touch”
• Associated Press / PBS News: 700 immigration officers to leave Minnesota immediately, Homan announces
• NPR: Border czar Tom Homan to immediately reduce federal agents in Minnesota
• The Guardian: Trump hints at ‘softer touch’ on immigration as federal drawdown planned
• Education Week: Educators Sue Over ICE Activity on School Grounds
• The White House: New Milestone in Operation Metro Surge