(In a dramatic escalation of the federal-state standoff in Minneapolis, President Donald Trump announced on Monday, January 26, 2026, that he is dispatching “Border Czar” Tom Homan to personally manage ICE operations on the ground.)
Homan, the former acting ICE director known for his “tough but fair” approach, will bypass the standard chain of command and report directly to the President. The move comes just 48 hours after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, by federal agents—an incident that has sparked mass protests and a “narrative battle” between federal officials and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Trump defended the deployment on Truth Social, stating that while Homan hasn’t been involved in Minnesota recently, he is being sent to “restore peace and safety”.
In addition to managing the Operation Metro Surge enforcement actions, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Homan will coordinate investigations into “massive, widespread fraud”. The administration alleges that billions in taxpayer dollars—specifically related to daycare subsidies and welfare programs—have been stolen in the state, a claim local officials have labeled as an “unsubstantiated cover-up” for the recent shootings.
