Here’s what happened.
President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is sending longtime border enforcement official Tom Homan to Minnesota as unrest surrounding federal immigration enforcement continues to intensify.
The president says Homan will answer to the White House and take charge of coordinating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Minneapolis and St. Paul, a step Trump describes as necessary to bring stability and allow federal agents to perform their work without disruption.
“I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He is tough, fair, and highly respected. He will be reporting directly to me.”
Trump also said Minnesota is facing multiple federal investigations, including inquiries into what he described as large-scale welfare fraud involving billions of taxpayer dollars. The president suggested that misuse of public funds may be contributing to organized protests and instability in the region.
In the same statement, Trump said both the Department of Justice and Congress are reviewing matters involving Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat who represents a Minneapolis-area district. Trump emphasized that the investigations are ongoing and that further details are expected to emerge.
Homan’s deployment comes amid growing concerns over safety for federal officers operating in the Twin Cities. ICE operations targeting criminal illegal aliens have repeatedly drawn large demonstrations, some of which federal officials say have turned violent.
Earlier this month, two individuals connected to anti-ICE protests were killed during encounters with federal agents, incidents that are now under investigation. One of those cases remains under active review following events over the weekend.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president’s decision does not reflect a lack of trust in existing leadership, but rather a need for stronger coordination during a volatile situation.
“Tom Homan will be managing ICE operations on the ground in Minnesota and coordinating closely with federal partners involved in ongoing fraud investigations,” Leavitt told Fox News Digital.
The Trump administration has blamed organized agitators and political activists for deliberately interfering with immigration enforcement efforts, arguing that such actions put both officers and the public at risk.
Federal officials say the consequences are already serious. During one disrupted arrest attempt last week, an ICE agent suffered permanent injuries after being attacked by a protester, forcing officers to abandon the operation.
U.S. Border Patrol Commander at Large Greg Bovino said officers were overwhelmed by hostile crowds that interfered with law enforcement activity, allowing a suspect to escape custody.
“That individual is still walking the streets today because of decisions made by politicians and activists who chose to confront law enforcement,” Bovino said. “That’s the reality of what we’re dealing with.”
The White House says restoring public order, protecting federal officers, and enforcing immigration law remain top priorities as ICE operations continue in Minnesota.