Border Czar Questions Minnesota Officials’ Involvement in Shooting Investigation
On Sunday, Tom Homan, the border czar, expressed confusion over the need for Minnesota officials to be part of the investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. He suggested that Minnesota has not cooperated with the Trump administration up to this point.
The incident, which occurred on January 7, involved the shooting of Renee Good by police during a raid in Minneapolis, triggering strong reactions from Minnesota’s Democratic Governor, Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor, Jacob Frey. During a segment on “Fox News Sunday,” Homan noted that both Walz and Frey appeared “frustrated” after hearing comments that defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s actions.
“Obstructing or interfering with ICE officers is a federal crime,” Homan stated. “If you look at what’s happening nationwide, I believe this is a coordinated attack on ICE. It frustrates me that the left seems to want to undermine ICE. They are federal law enforcement officers, and obstructing them is a crime.”
He continued, comparing the situation to drug enforcement. “No one would object to arresting someone who interferes with the DEA,” he pointed out. “If someone obstructs your work, that should be a crime, and yet the media seems to normalize this interference with ICE operations.”
At a press conference on Wednesday, Frey vocally opposed ICE operations in Minneapolis, while Walz had previously likened ICE to the Gestapo during a commencement address at the University of Minnesota Law School. When guest host Jackie Heinrich inquired if Homan’s non-cooperation with Minnesota authorities was a one-time stance, Homan clarified, “They are local Minnesota authorities, but they don’t wish to cooperate with us. That’s part of the issue here.”
He emphasized that Minnesota is a “sanctuary city,” which complicates matters with enforcement efforts. “This city is where we find ourselves now because they release public safety threats back into the community,” he explained, referring to cases involving serious crimes against children.
Homan went on to critique Democrats for their silence during the Biden administration regarding the surge of illegal immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, asserting that many were being released into the country. “Who initiated this? The Democrats have been quiet about our law enforcement efforts, yet offered no comment when the border was open and around 500,000 children were smuggled, with 300,000 now missing,” he said.
“Under President Trump, we located 129,000 individuals,” Homan added. “The Democrats were silent then, complicit in allowing millions to enter the country, many with criminal backgrounds. Now, as we attempt to address a border that has been open for four years, they suddenly have much to say.”
