With how the situation is unfolding in Minneapolis, Governor Tim Walz wants it done immediately. Here’s what he said.

I. A City in Crisis — What’s Happening in Minneapolis

Over the past several weeks, Minneapolis has become the focal point of a highly controversial federal enforcement operation dubbed Operation Metro Surge. Under this initiative, thousands of federal immigration agents — including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol personnel — have been deployed to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area in a sweep targeting undocumented immigrants. Officials described it as a record‑setting enforcement effort.

Violence and Fatal Shootings

Two separate incidents involving federal agents and civilians have fueled outrage:

Renée Good, a 67‑year‑old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot earlier this month in an ICE operation in northeast Minneapolis. Walz called her killing “the consequences of governance designed to generate fear, headlines and conflict” — and ordered the National Guard on state standby.
On January 24, 2026, Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old nurse, was shot and killed by federal agents during a protest against the immigration enforcement action. Bystander video shows he was holding a phone and trying to help others — not firing a weapon as initially claimed by federal authorities.

These killings sparked massive demonstrations in Minneapolis and Thundering criticism from state and national leaders.

Federal and State Officials Clash

Federal agencies insist their agents acted within law enforcement protocols and maintain that their mission is necessary to enforce immigration laws. Meanwhile, state officials in Minnesota — including Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey — dispute federal accounts and say the federal response has been chaotic and dangerously escalatory.

Tensions were so heated that President Donald Trump dispatched border enforcement czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to try to manage the situation and improve coordination, while also keeping much of the enforcement effort intact.

A U.S. Department of Justice investigation has been reported into whether Minnesota officials obstructed federal agents — a development that further complicates the political climate.

II. Governor Tim Walz: “Immediate End” — What He Said and Why

Amid this escalating crisis, Walz has repeatedly and forcefully called for an immediate end to the federal operation in his state. That demand is rooted in his belief that:

The enforcement operation has created chaos and put Minnesota residents in danger.
The federal government cannot be trusted to investigate its own agents after fatal shootings.
Minnesota state authorities need to take the lead in securing justice and public safety.

Let’s break down what Walz has said, directly from multiple press conferences and statements:

1. Federal Operation Must End Now

In a press conference following the fatal shooting on January 24, Walz said that the federal government had “done enough” and should withdraw its personnel from Minnesota:

“We do not need any further help from the federal government. To Donald Trump and [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem: You’ve done enough.”
He added: “I’ve issued a warning order to prepare the Minnesota National Guard… these are our troops. Minnesota will not allow our community to be used as a prop in a national political fight.”

This language underscores his belief that the federal presence was politically motivated and harmful to public safety.

2. State Must Lead the Investigation

Walz also made it clear the state should control the investigation into Pretti’s death:

“I’ve seen the video from several angles, and it’s sickening. Minnesota’s justice system will have the last word. The state will handle it, period.”
“Before any investigation is done, you have the most powerful people in the federal government spinning stories.”

He criticized federal agents for closing the crime scene and obstructing independent review, and argued that Minnesota should gather evidence in its own criminal investigation — telling Minnesotans to document incidents of immigration enforcement themselves in hopes of future prosecutions.

3. Peaceful Protest and Public Safety

Walz has emphasized both the right to protest and the need for peace:

“I hear that scream from the people of Minnesota… I will continue to ask for peace. I know the answer is you ask for peace, and they shoot us in the face on the streets. We cannot give them what they want.”

This dual message reflects his attempt to balance public anger with public safety, urging citizens to voice dissent but warning against escalation.

4. Outright Condemnation of Federal Tactics

In other statements over recent weeks — particularly after the earlier killing of Renée Good — Walz described the operation as:

“Governing by reality TV”
“Recklessness [that] cost someone their life”
“The Trump administration’s enforcement actions… are a threat to public safety.”

This rhetoric illustrates his broader critique: not just specific incidents, but the strategy and leadership behind federal immigration enforcement.

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