President Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday that his immigration enforcement may need a “softer touch.” The comment follows the high-profile fatal shootings of two anti-ICE activists in Minneapolis last month. During an interview with NBC News, the President admitted he had learned from the situation while maintaining that he must remain “tough” on “hard criminals.”
“I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch,” Trump told reporter Tom Llamas. “But you still have to be tough. These are criminals.” He also expressed frustration with local leaders in Minnesota, claiming he had “great conversations” with them privately only to see them “ranting and raving” against him in public.
Border Czar Tom Homan has already begun implementing this shift in the Twin Cities. Homan replaced Commander Gregory Bovino, who was reassigned to California after his aggressive raid style drew intense criticism. Under Homan, the administration is prioritizing the arrests of high-level criminal targets over broad, visible community sweeps.+1
Homan also announced a “draw down” of 700 federal agents from the Minneapolis area. This move was made possible by a new deal with local jurisdictions to allow ICE into area jails. This cooperation allows agents to take custody of individuals before they are released onto the streets.
“This is smart law enforcement, not less law enforcement,” Homan said during a Wednesday press conference. He argued that taking custody of aliens directly from jails requires fewer officers and is safer for everyone involved. However, he clarified that this does not mean the administration is “surrendering” its broader deportation goals.
The shift appears aimed at de-escalating the civil unrest that has gripped Minnesota for weeks. While federal presence is decreasing on the streets, the administration insists that efficiency has actually increased. The outcome of this “targeted” approach will likely serve as a blueprint for other major cities facing similar tensions.