Republican Chris Madel suspended his Minnesota gubernatorial campaign after releasing a roughly 10-minute video on X accusing ICE of expanding Operation Metro Surge beyond its original focus on violent offenders. He said the enforcement has begun to feel like retribution, leaving U.S. citizens — particularly people of color — fearful and carrying proof of citizenship. Madel criticized civil-warrant home raids and blamed national Republican leadership for damaging the party’s statewide prospects; his exit followed the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents two days earlier.
Minnesota GOP Candidate Quits Governor’s Race After Condemning ICE Tactics in Video
Chris Madel
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Chris Madel abruptly suspended his Minnesota campaign after posting a roughly 10-minute video on X (formerly Twitter), saying recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have shifted from targeting violent offenders to actions he described as retribution against U.S. citizens.
Madel said he once supported the stated goals of Operation Metro Surge — removing the most dangerous criminals from Minnesota communities — and acknowledged ICE has arrested noncitizens convicted of serious crimes. But in the video he argued the scope of the operation has widened in ways that threaten civil liberties and community trust.
"I cannot support the national Republicans' stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so," Madel said. "Operation Metro Surge has expanded far beyond its stated focus on true public safety threats... United States citizens, particularly those of color, live in fear. United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship. That’s wrong."
Madel criticized specific tactics he described as unconstitutional, including home raids executed with civil warrants signed only by border patrol agents. He also warned against what he called the weaponization of criminal investigations for political ends, saying it's wrong regardless of which party is in power.
Context and Reaction
He framed his departure from the race as a response not only to ICE's conduct but to broader national Republican leadership, which he blamed for making it "nearly impossible for a Republican to win a statewide election in Minnesota." Madel called the operation an "unmitigated disaster."
Madel posted his announcement two days after ICE agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an event he cited when explaining his decision to suspend his campaign.
This account is based on Madel's public video posted to X and contemporaneous reporting.
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