Minneapolis Mayor Urges Action Against Federal Law Enforcement
As tensions around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) heighten nationwide, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addressed fellow mayors during the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. He urged them to counter the Trump administration’s federal enforcement actions and warned that violence might soon spread to their cities.
Frey emphasized the importance of not being silenced, stating, “We are on the front lines of a very important battle. It’s crucial that we don’t hang our heads in despair or fear being next. If we don’t raise our voices, your city could be the next one affected.”
The Democratic mayor, who represents a city known for its blue policies, described the presence of federal agents in Minneapolis as deeply troubling. He claimed people’s constitutional rights were being violated.
“Thousands of federal agents have arrived in a city with only 600 police officers,” Frey said. He added that individuals were taken off the streets without regard for their rights, and discrimination often targeted those who appeared to be Somali, Latino, or Southeast Asian. Even American citizens faced undue scrutiny based on their appearance, such as looking like they were from Mexico, Ecuador, or Somalia.
Frey pointed out that crime rates had actually decreased in nearly every category and neighborhood in Minneapolis. He argued that the federal enforcement presence has made the city feel less safe.
“When chaos reigns, safety diminishes,” Frey claimed, insisting that families now live in daily fear.
He also called for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to halt the ongoing Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis and end related immigration crackdowns across the nation. Frey stressed that he had never intended for the issue to become partisan.
“This isn’t merely about immigration. It’s about suppressing voices that differ from the federal government’s stance,” he stated. “What we’re witnessing here isn’t a Democratic or Republican issue. I’ve never framed it that way.”
Frey expressed that the current situation posed a significant threat to the principles sustaining the republic, adding that while he might sound alarmist, these truths need to be acknowledged. “We’re experiencing this on our streets right now,” he concluded.
He accused the administration of weaponizing the Justice Department and described it as a “bully.” Frey mentioned that local officials were being investigated not for wrongdoing but for fulfilling their core responsibilities.
These remarks came shortly after Tom Homan, the White House border czar, visited the Twin Cities to establish a plan intended to reduce the federal agency’s local presence.
Homan later characterized his meeting with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison as productive, noting that there was an agreement to inform ICE if local jails released violent undocumented immigrants.
Furthermore, Homan requested local leaders to curb “hostile rhetoric” following riots in Minneapolis that resulted in the deaths of residents, including Renee Nicole Good and Alex Preti due to federal law enforcement actions.
Although Frey remains in Washington, D.C., he indicated to reporters that he does not plan to meet with President Trump but intends to engage with other elected officials at the Capitol.
