At a Glance
- Tim Walz compared Minnesota children to Anne Frank, prompting criticism from the U.S. Holocaust Museum.
- The remarks followed the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal officers.
- President Trump praised Walz for a “very good call” after the incident.
Why it matters: The comments intensified tensions amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment and increased ICE activity in Minneapolis.
The debate over Governor Tim Walz’s comparison of Minnesota’s children to Anne Frank began on Jan. 25, when he spoke at a press conference following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal officers. The remarks drew swift condemnation from the U.S. Holocaust Museum and added to an already fraught political climate in the Twin Cities.
Governor’s Comparison
During the conference, Walz said, “We have got children in Minnesota hiding in their houses, afraid to go outside. Many of us grew up reading that story of Anne Frank. Somebody’s going to write that children’s story about Minnesota.” The statement was made in the context of a broader discussion about the safety of students amid heightened federal presence.
The U.S. Holocaust Museum responded on Jan. 26 with a statement on X: “Anne Frank was targeted and murdered solely because she was Jewish,” the museum wrote. “Leaders making false equivalencies to her experience for political purposes is never acceptable. Despite tensions in Minneapolis, exploiting the Holocaust is deeply offensive, especially as antisemitism surges.”
The museum’s critique highlighted the stark difference between Anne Frank’s tragic fate-she died at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at age 15 after two years of hiding-and the current situation Walz described.
Trump’s Reaction
On Jan. 26, President Trump posted on Truth Social that he had spoken to Walz after the shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Pretti. In his post, Trump called the conversation a “very good call” and said, “Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota. It was a very good call, and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength.”
Trump also mentioned a plan to involve Tom Homan and to investigate any criminals in possession of federal agents. The president’s comments were framed as a supportive partnership with the governor.
School District Responses
Amid the increased presence of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, several Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts offered to transition students to online learning. St. Paul’s superintendent, Stacie Stanley, said in a video message that she had received “hundreds of messages about offering a temporary virtual learning option for students who do not feel comfortable coming to school right now.”
Data from the districts indicated that on Jan. 9, roughly half of Spanish-speaking students in St. Paul and a quarter of Somali-speaking students were absent. The move to virtual learning was seen as a response to fears of detainment or confrontation with federal agents.
ICE Presence and Detentions
The heightened ICE activity was underscored by the detainment of a 5-year-old, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, on Jan. 21. The family was seized in their driveway after returning from the child’s preschool, according to reports from The Guardian, The Washington Post, and local outlet Fox 9.
The incident prompted criticism from community leaders who argued that ICE’s tactics were creating a climate of fear for immigrant families. The school districts’ shift to remote instruction was part of a broader strategy to protect students during this period.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 25 | Walz’s press conference and Anne Frank comparison |
| Jan. 25 | Fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal officers |
| Jan. 26 | U.S. Holocaust Museum statement on X |
| Jan. 26 | President Trump’s Truth Social post praising Walz |
| Jan. 9 | High absentee rates among Spanish- and Somali-speaking students |
| Jan. 21 | Detainment of Liam Conejo Ramos and father |
Key Takeaways
- Tim Walz‘s comparison to Anne Frank was made in the wake of a federal shooting and was met with condemnation for equating a historical tragedy with contemporary events.
- The U.S. Holocaust Museum emphasized the uniqueness of Anne Frank’s experience and warned against political exploitation of Holocaust memory.
- President Trump framed his dialogue with Walz as collaborative, focusing on shared goals regarding federal presence in Minnesota.
- School districts responded to ICE activity by offering temporary virtual learning, citing student safety concerns.
- The detainment of a 5-year-old and his father highlighted the perceived threat of ICE operations in the community.
The incident underscores the delicate balance between law enforcement initiatives and community trust, particularly in areas with large immigrant populations. The reactions from political leaders, the museum, and school officials illustrate the multifaceted impact of federal actions on local communities.
