Trump Taps Homan to Storm Minnesota: ‘Turn Over All Criminal Illegals Now’

Paul Riverbank, 1/27/2026The Trump White House escalates its law-and-order push in Minnesota, demanding stricter immigration enforcement and spotlighting political divides, following the fatal shooting of a protester. The move sets the stage for a sharp debate over rights, public safety, and media narratives.

The way she put it, upholding immigration law wasn’t just another box to check. In fact, Leavitt tied enforcement to the bedrock of Trump’s platform, pointing out the administration’s outrage at what they saw as mistreatment of federal agents—individuals “simply carrying out what he was elected to do.” That message shaped the rest of her remarks. It set a tone—one of zero tolerance for what she called “disruption of the people’s will” by those on the political left.

Attention quickly pivoted to the practical: Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, and local authorities suddenly found themselves at the center of the federal spotlight. Leavitt laid out conditions without ambiguity. The Trump team wanted all individuals in custody—particularly those with criminal backgrounds or warrants—turned over to federal immigration officials for what she termed “immediate deportation.” She characterized this as not just a request, but an expectation: state and local police, she insisted, should coordinate fully with federal agents, especially when detaining undocumented immigrants who faced criminal charges.

Between the lines, it’s clear these are not mere policy preferences, but a top-down directive. President Trump himself—always keen to be seen as hands-on—called Gov. Walz before the briefing, and later described the conversation in upbeat terms. The president claimed they “seemed to be on a similar wavelength,” though only time will tell how deep that accord truly goes, given Minnesota’s recent history of tense encounters between local officials and federal authorities.

The Trump administration is now deploying its own veteran, Tom Homan, to head federal efforts on the ground in Minnesota—a pointed move that signals the seriousness of Washington’s intent. Interestingly, Leavitt went out of her way to calm any speculation about a leadership shakeup at Homeland Security. Secretary Kristi Noem, she assured the room, remains firmly in the president’s good graces, especially citing Noem’s recent handling of natural disasters.

But policy talk soon gave way to media criticism—an ever-present feature of the Trump communications playbook. When a reporter from Gateway Pundit brought up the apparent contrast in coverage between Alex Pretti’s death and Ashli Babbitt’s shooting at the Capitol, Leavitt didn’t mince words. The press, she argued, selectively amplifies certain tragedies while downplaying others, producing what she described as “selective outrage” rooted in political bias.

She took pains to say that in President Trump’s eyes, every life lost was, and is, a tragedy—whether in Minnesota or elsewhere. Leavitt mentioned the names Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray, two victims whose cases have become touchpoints for administration rhetoric, asserting that their lives “remain an utmost priority” for President Trump. But what stood out was her accusation that Democratic officials in Minnesota, through their resistance to federal cooperation, bore responsibility for the climate that led to Pretti’s death.

Predictably, sanctuary city policies were called into question once more, with Leavitt pressing Congress to put an end to what she depicted as havens for lawbreakers. “American cities,” she declared, “should be safe sanctuaries for law-abiding citizens only.”

The Second Amendment surfaced as well, brought up after a question about firearms rights during protests. Leavitt stood firm: President Trump is an enthusiastic backer of Americans’ right to bear arms—though, she added pointedly, that doesn’t extend to interfering with authorities enforcing immigration law. In this, her remarks echoed Homeland Security Secretary Noem, who, during a FOX News segment, had put it simply: don’t disrupt law enforcement operations, or you’re breaking the law.

Monday’s briefing underlines a persistent theme: the Trump White House is intent on projecting strength and decisiveness, especially on immigration and public safety. Installing Tom Homan in Minnesota sends a clear message—enforcement priorities will be pursued aggressively, regardless of pushback from local leaders. Yet the coming days will reveal how easily this vision translates into action, and whether cooperation with Minnesota’s Democratic administration is durable or merely momentary.

Meanwhile, the tension with the press shows no sign of cooling. Leavitt’s accusation that media outlets “sensationalize” certain cases while omitting others is a refrain that continues to shape the White House’s relationship with the fourth estate. By naming the victims who matter to the administration, she reinforced the political stakes of whose stories command the national stage.

Ultimately, as the spotlights remain fixed on Minnesota, the Trump administration appears determined to seize narrative control—connecting tragic events to their broader law-and-order agenda, even as the fierce national debate over rights, enforcement, and accountability presses on.

When reporters assembled at the White House on Monday, they found themselves thrust into a spirited exchange—one that quickly left the usual script behind. Karoline Leavitt, speaking for President Trump, wasted no time in addressing the shooting of Alex Pretti, a protester gunned down by a federal agent in Minnesota. As camera shutters clicked, she cut straight to the core: this administration would not allow what she described as “agitators” to dictate terms of public safety or undermine the authority of immigration officers.The way she put it, upholding immigration law wasn’t just another box to check. In fact, Leavitt tied enforcement to the bedrock of Trump’s platform, pointing out the administration’s outrage at what they saw as mistreatment of federal agents—individuals “simply carrying out what he was elected to do.” That message shaped the rest of her remarks. It set a tone—one of zero tolerance for what she called “disruption of the people’s will” by those on the political left.Attention quickly pivoted to the practical: Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz, and local authorities suddenly found themselves at the center of the federal spotlight. Leavitt laid out conditions without ambiguity. The Trump team wanted all individuals in custody—particularly those with criminal backgrounds or warrants—turned over to federal immigration officials for what she termed “immediate deportation.” She characterized this as not just a request, but an expectation: state and local police, she insisted, should coordinate fully with federal agents, especially when detaining undocumented immigrants who faced criminal charges.Between the lines, it’s clear these are not mere policy preferences, but a top-down directive. President Trump himself—always keen to be seen as hands-on—called Gov. Walz before the briefing, and later described the conversation in upbeat terms. The president claimed they “seemed to be on a similar wavelength,” though only time will tell how deep that accord truly goes, given Minnesota’s recent history of tense encounters between local officials and federal authorities.The Trump administration is now deploying its own veteran, Tom Homan, to head federal efforts on the ground in Minnesota—a pointed move that signals the seriousness of Washington’s intent. Interestingly, Leavitt went out of her way to calm any speculation about a leadership shakeup at Homeland Security. Secretary Kristi Noem, she assured the room, remains firmly in the president’s good graces, especially citing Noem’s recent handling of natural disasters.But policy talk soon gave way to media criticism—an ever-present feature of the Trump communications playbook. When a reporter from Gateway Pundit brought up the apparent contrast in coverage between Alex Pretti’s death and Ashli Babbitt’s shooting at the Capitol, Leavitt didn’t mince words. The press, she argued, selectively amplifies certain tragedies while downplaying others, producing what she described as “selective outrage” rooted in political bias.She took pains to say that in President Trump’s eyes, every life lost was, and is, a tragedy—whether in Minnesota or elsewhere. Leavitt mentioned the names Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray, two victims whose cases have become touchpoints for administration rhetoric, asserting that their lives “remain an utmost priority” for President Trump. But what stood out was her accusation that Democratic officials in Minnesota, through their resistance to federal cooperation, bore responsibility for the climate that led to Pretti’s death.Predictably, sanctuary city policies were called into question once more, with Leavitt pressing Congress to put an end to what she depicted as havens for lawbreakers. “American cities,” she declared, “should be safe sanctuaries for law-abiding citizens only.”The Second Amendment surfaced as well, brought up after a question about firearms rights during protests. Leavitt stood firm: President Trump is an enthusiastic backer of Americans’ right to bear arms—though, she added pointedly, that doesn’t extend to interfering with authorities enforcing immigration law. In this, her remarks echoed Homeland Security Secretary Noem, who, during a FOX News segment, had put it simply: don’t disrupt law enforcement operations, or you’re breaking the law.Monday’s briefing underlines a persistent theme: the Trump White House is intent on projecting strength and decisiveness, especially on immigration and public safety. Installing Tom Homan in Minnesota sends a clear message—enforcement priorities will be pursued aggressively, regardless of pushback from local leaders. Yet the coming days will reveal how easily this vision translates into action, and whether cooperation with Minnesota’s Democratic administration is durable or merely momentary.Meanwhile, the tension with the press shows no sign of cooling. Leavitt’s accusation that media outlets “sensationalize” certain cases while omitting others is a refrain that continues to shape the White House’s relationship with the fourth estate. By naming the victims who matter to the administration, she reinforced the political stakes of whose stories command the national stage.Ultimately, as the spotlights remain fixed on Minnesota, the Trump administration appears determined to seize narrative control—connecting tragic events to their broader law-and-order agenda, even as the fierce national debate over rights, enforcement, and accountability presses on.