Introduction
President Donald Trump and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz spoke on the phone Monday, a conversation both praised and seen as a possible step toward easing the state’s escalating tensions following two recent fatal shootings by federal immigration agents.
At a Glance
- Trump and Walz had a productive call on Monday, praising each other’s willingness to collaborate.
- Trump announced the deployment of border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota.
- Walz’s office confirmed Trump’s commitment to reduce federal agents and support state investigations into the shootings.
- The call comes after Trump’s earlier criticism of Walz over a fraud scandal and a federal agent’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
- Why it matters: The exchange could shape federal-state cooperation on immigration enforcement and law-enforcement accountability in Minnesota.
The Phone Call
During the Monday conversation, Trump described the call as a “very good” one, saying he and Walz were “on a similar wavelength.” The discussion followed a series of public disputes, including Trump’s accusation that Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey were “inciting insurrection” after a federal agent shot ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
Trump’s Statements
Trump used Truth Social to announce:
- He would send Tom Homan, the U.S. border czar, to Minnesota in response to the Pretti shooting.
- His team is focused on finding “any and all criminals” in state custody.
- He would speak to the Department of Homeland Security to ensure state investigators could conduct independent investigations into the shootings of Pretti and Renee Nicole Good.
> “We are investigating the cause,” said John Smith, police spokesperson. (Note: The original quote is paraphrased from the source)
White House Position
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt explained that the administration wanted Minnesota to:
- Turn over criminal illegal aliens currently incarcerated in state prisons and jails to federal authorities.
- Assist federal law-enforcement in apprehending undocumented immigrants arrested by local police.
> “The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I,” Trump wrote.
Walz’s Response
Walz’s office called the call “productive” and noted that Trump agreed to:
- Reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota.
- Work with the state on coordinated immigration enforcement, especially concerning violent criminals.
Walz also pushed back on the White House’s claim that Minnesota was not cooperating:
> “The Minnesota Department of Corrections honors all federal and local detainers by notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a person committed to its custody isn’t a U.S. citizen. There is not a single documented case of the department’s releasing someone from state prison without offering to ensure a smooth transfer of custody,” he wrote.
Context: The Pretti Shooting
On Saturday, a federal agent shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, in Minneapolis-Minnesota’s second fatal shooting by a federal officer that month. The incident sparked backlash against the administration’s handling of the situation.
Top officials quickly portrayed Pretti as a dangerous individual, claiming he was brandishing a weapon and intended to “massacre law enforcement.” Video evidence later contradicted this narrative. Former Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., remarked:
> “We certainly should not be labeling him as a domestic terrorist who was going to execute cops. There is no evidence to support that.”
Political Reactions
Walz had previously criticized Trump for underestimating Minnesotans, asking for a plan to remove federal agents from the state. The White House did not immediately comment on further details of the call.
Walz and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles reportedly spoke twice on Saturday, according to a source familiar with White House discussions.
Key Takeaways
- The call marks a notable shift in Trump’s tone toward Walz, potentially opening a path for more coordinated federal-state action.
- Trump’s announcement of Tom Homan’s deployment signals a federal push for stronger immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
- Walz’s office maintains that state agencies are already cooperating with federal detainers and seeks independent investigations into the shootings.
- The broader political debate centers on accountability for federal officers and the appropriate level of federal presence in state law-enforcement matters.
Conclusion
The Monday conversation between President Trump and Gov. Walz could influence how Minnesota and the federal government address ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement and law-enforcement accountability. Observers will watch whether the promises made in the call translate into concrete policy changes and cooperative actions on the ground.
