Tom Homan, newly appointed by President Trump to oversee border operations in Minnesota, met Tuesday with Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey after a Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti. Homan called the meetings a productive start and emphasized supporting law enforcement while removing criminals from the streets. Walz demanded impartial investigations and a rapid drawdown of federal forces; Frey urged an immediate end to 'Operation Metro Surge' and reiterated that Minneapolis will not enforce federal immigration law. The White House denied the leadership change was a retreat and said talks will continue.
Border Czar Tom Homan Meets Minnesota Leaders After Fatal Border Patrol Shooting, Tensions Over 'Operation Metro Surge' Persist
White House border czar Tom Homan deployed to Minnesota on Jan. 26, 2026, to run point on the immigration crackdown in the state.(Getty Images)
Tom Homan, the Trump administration's newly appointed border czar, met Tuesday with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as officials work to de-escalate tensions following recent fatal shootings and protests in the Twin Cities.
The meetings followed President Donald Trump's decision to replace Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino with Homan to oversee federal immigration operations in Minnesota. The leadership change came days after 37-year-old Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis, an incident that has prompted scrutiny, protests and calls for independent investigations.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz met with Trump border czar Tom Homan as the administration reshuffled federal immigration leadership in the state.
Meetings With State and City Leaders
Homan said he met with the governor, the mayor and senior law enforcement officials to assess conditions on the ground. In a post on X, he described the talks as a productive starting point and said participants agreed on the need to 'support our law enforcement officers and get criminals off the streets.' He added that further conversations with key stakeholders are planned.
'We all agree that we need to support our law enforcement officers and get criminals off the streets,' Homan wrote, adding that while there are disagreements, the meetings were constructive.
State and City Responses
After the meeting, Gov. Walz reiterated demands for impartial investigations into the shootings involving federal agents and called for a significant, swift reduction of federal forces in Minnesota. His office named the Minnesota Department of Public Safety as the primary state liaison to Homan to continue the dialogue.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he urged Trump border czar Tom Homan to end Operation Metro Surge as quickly as possible during their meeting on Jan. 27.
Mayor Frey, who met with Homan alongside Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara, described the conversation as productive but emphasized his principal request: an expedited end to 'Operation Metro Surge.' Frey warned that the operation has had serious negative impacts on Minneapolis and surrounding communities and placed additional strain on local police resources. He also reiterated that Minneapolis 'does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws.'
White House Response and Presidential Remarks
The White House rejected suggestions that the personnel change represented a 'backing down' from federal enforcement. President Trump, speaking on Fox News, characterized the move as a 'change' rather than a pullback and described Bovino as 'very good' but sometimes 'a pretty out there kind of a guy.' Trump said he discussed the situation with both Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey and emphasized his priority of keeping cities 'safe and secure for law-abiding residents.'
A White House official directed reporters to Homan's statement for additional comment. Fox News Digital contributed reporting to the original coverage.
Context: The visits come amid heightened tensions after two recent fatal shootings in the Twin Cities area and subsequent public protests. The situation remains fluid as federal, state and local leaders continue discussions about operations, oversight and community impacts.
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