At a Glance
- President Donald Trump and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had a phone conversation that may ease rising tensions in the state.
- Trump announced the deployment of border czar Tom Homan and urged Minnesota to hand over undocumented inmates.
- Walz confirmed cooperation and said the state will work with federal agents on investigations of recent shootings.
Why it matters: The call marks a notable change in Trump’s approach to Minnesota and could influence federal-state law-enforcement dynamics amid recent violent incidents.
The conversation between President Donald Trump and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took place on Monday, a day that followed the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a federal agent. Trump praised the call as a “very good call” and said he and Walz were on a “similar wavelength.” The exchange signals a potential path toward resolving the escalating conflict between the state and federal authorities.
The Call and Its Significance
On Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Walz had called him and that the president would have border czar Tom Homan reach out. He also announced that Homan would travel to Minnesota in response to the Pretti shooting. Trump wrote that his team is focused on finding “any and all criminals” in state custody.
In the same post, Trump said he would speak to the Department of Homeland Security to help Minnesota investigators conduct independent inquiries into the shootings of Pretti and Renee Nicole Good. He also promised to look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and to work more closely with the state on immigration enforcement.
Background: Recent Shootings and Tensions
- Alex Pretti (37), an ICU nurse, was shot and killed by a federal agent in Minneapolis on Saturday.
- Renee Nicole Good was also shot by a federal officer earlier in the month.
- These incidents have intensified scrutiny of federal law-enforcement conduct in Minnesota.
Earlier in the week, Trump had criticized Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, calling them “sanctimonious political fools” and accusing them of “inciting insurrection.” Those remarks came after the fatal shooting of Pretti and the broader unrest surrounding federal officers in the state.
Trump’s Proposals and Statements
During the call, Trump outlined several actions:
- Deployment of Tom Homan: The border czar would visit Minnesota to coordinate enforcement.
- Return of undocumented inmates: The White House wants Minnesota to hand over “criminal illegal aliens” currently in state prisons and jails.
- Cooperation with local law-enforcement: State and local officials are expected to turn over undocumented immigrants arrested by local police.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokeswoman, said the administration expects the state to assist federal law-enforcement in apprehending undocumented immigrants. She noted that the Governor understood and welcomed Homan’s visit.
Walz’s Response and Cooperation Claims
In a statement to Sophia A. Reynolds, Walz’s office said the governor had a “productive” call with Trump. It added:
- The president agreed to speak to the Department of Homeland Security to enable independent investigations of the shootings.
- The president will look into reducing federal agent presence and improving coordination on immigration enforcement.
Walz also published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal criticizing the White House’s claim that Minnesota was not cooperating. He wrote that the Minnesota Department of Corrections honors all federal and local detainers and has never released someone from state prison without ensuring a smooth transfer of custody.
His statement marked a more positive tone than earlier remarks. On Sunday, Walz had criticized Trump for “underestimating” the people of Minnesota, asking what the president’s plan was to remove federal agents from the state.
Legal and Enforcement Context
| Issue | Current Status | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Undocumented inmates in state custody | State has held them in prisons and jails | White House wants transfer to federal authorities |
| Investigations of federal shootings | Independent investigations requested | Coordination between state and federal investigators |
| Federal agent presence | High in Minnesota | Trump to look into reduction |
The Minnesota Department of Corrections has stated that it follows federal and local detainer protocols. According to the department, there is no documented case of releasing a non-citizen from state custody without ensuring a transfer to federal custody.
Key Takeaways
- The call between President Donald Trump and Governor Tim Walz represents a shift toward cooperation amid recent violent incidents involving federal agents.
- Trump’s promises include the deployment of Tom Homan, the return of undocumented inmates, and a reduction in federal agent presence.
- Walz’s office confirmed the call was productive and reiterated Minnesota’s willingness to cooperate with federal investigations.
- The White House and Minnesota officials are now coordinating on the transfer of undocumented inmates and the investigation of the Pretti and Good shootings.
- The situation remains fluid, with further discussions expected between the White House and state officials.
The developments underscore the ongoing tension between state and federal law-enforcement agencies and highlight the potential for new cooperation strategies in Minnesota.
