Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has recently made headlines again, this time following a tragic police-involved shooting. It seems he’s attempting to stir up the same extreme sentiments that led to chaos in the city back in 2020.
“ICE, get out of Minneapolis. We don’t want you here,” Frey proclaimed this week, echoing behaviors that some believe contributed to the city’s unrest.
While he may have aimed for social media buzz, another remark during the same conference struck many as deeply irresponsible and disconnected from reality.
“They (ICE) are not here to bring safety to this city (…) They are sowing chaos on our streets, and this incident is quite literally killing people,” he added.
These statements don’t seem to reflect a serious approach to governance.
Making such claims just hours after the incident overlooks the ongoing investigation, placing all blame on law enforcement while the details remain unclear. Under Frey’s leadership, the “defund the police” movement seems to be thriving.
It’s worth considering that this tragedy might have been preventable had it not been for the radical sanctuary policies pushed by Mayor Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, which the Department of Justice is now legally challenging.
According to the Department of Justice, Minnesota is classified as a sanctuary jurisdiction, defined as having policies that hinder federal immigration law enforcement.
Minneapolis has a “segregation ordinance” that makes it illegal to participate in enforcing federal immigration law, mandating strong opposition to efforts that would require city resources for that purpose.
The reality is that local cooperation with federal law enforcement is essential for both officer and public safety. When local authorities engage, they can better manage crowds, facilitate arrests, and share vital information.
In contrast, take Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis has mandated that state and local law enforcement support ICE operations, leading to the arrest of over 10,000 individuals with criminal backgrounds. Instead of obstructing ICE efforts, Florida works alongside the federal government to enhance public safety and uphold the law.
If Minnesota and Minneapolis adopted a similar model, perhaps they wouldn’t be so focused on political games instead of the safety of their citizens.
In recent weeks, ICE has detained over 1,000 individuals in Minnesota, some of whom have serious offenses, including sexual assault and murder. It’s these individuals, not responsible citizens, that Mayor Frey’s policies seem to protect.
The message for Mayor Frey is clear: the true “chaos” isn’t coming from lawful immigration enforcement but from the policies that let dangerous individuals roam freely in neighborhoods.
Regrettably, Frey isn’t alone in his extreme rhetoric against federal law enforcement. Other leaders like Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker have similarly denounced federal officers in harsh and simplistic terms.
Such rhetoric, frankly, should disqualify anyone from holding public office.
Anyone who draws parallels between Americans and oppressive regimes has no business making policies.
ICE’s role is inherently risky, a reality they’ve faced for years. Unfortunately, recent hostile narratives from the extreme left have only intensified threats against them, seeing increases in threats and attacks.
It’s hardly different from any other law enforcement agency; its employees deserve respect, just like anyone else dedicated to public service.
Clearly, Minnesota faces significant challenges, from increasing fraud to damaging anti-law enforcement rhetoric. It’s becoming evident to many that Mayor Frey should consider stepping down before his dangerous words and actions lead to even more turmoil.
