Trump Warns Minneapolis Mayor After He Doubles Down On Sanctuary Policy

President Donald Trump sharply rebuked Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday after the Democrat reaffirmed that his city would not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The warning comes amid ongoing unrest in the city following the fatal Border Patrol shooting of leftist demonstrator Alex Pretti.

“Surprisingly, Mayor Jacob Frey just stated that, ‘Minneapolis does not, and will not, enforce Federal Immigration Laws,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Could somebody in his inner sanctum please explain that this statement is a very serious violation of the Law, and that he is PLAYING WITH FIRE!”

Frey pushed back against Trump, defending his city’s sanctuary stance and arguing that local police should focus on violent crime, not immigration enforcement. “The job of our police is to keep people safe, not enforce fed immigration laws,” Frey said. “Everyone should feel safe calling 911.”

Minneapolis strengthened its so-called “separation ordinance” last month, formally barring city employees from aiding federal immigration operations. The ordinance also prohibits federal immigration enforcement from taking place on city property.

On Tuesday, Frey met with border czar Tom Homan, who was sent to Minneapolis by Trump to stabilize the situation following backlash over the Pretti shooting. Frey told Homan that the federal operation was damaging the city and harming local law enforcement morale.

“I also made it clear that Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws,” Frey said after the meeting. “We will remain focused on keeping our neighbors and streets safe.”

Trump’s decision to dispatch Homan was seen as a strategic shift that reduced the role of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and reassigned Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. Bovino, who had backed aggressive tactics, was ordered to return to California.

“I don’t think it’s a pullback, it’s a little bit of a change,” Trump told Fox News. “Bovino is very good, but he’s pretty out-there… Maybe it wasn’t good here.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, another Democrat, said he appreciated the tone change after Homan arrived, even while still demanding a federal withdrawal. “Tom Homan’s a professional,” Walz said. “We need these folks out of Minnesota and we need justice for Renee Good and for Alex Pretti.”