In a dramatic phone call, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz finally connected with President Donald Trump, seven weeks into a federal crackdown on Minneapolis that had many state and local leaders on edge. To the surprise of few, the conversation wasn’t a friendly chat; Trump had a bone to pick.
During their exchange, the president expressed bewilderment over what he deemed Minnesota’s unusual resistance compared to cities like Louisville and New Orleans, which had seemingly rolled with the punches of his immigration policies. Walz, not one to mince words, shot back, “You didn’t kill anyone there,” a pointed reference to the outrage following the death of Alex Pretti at the hands of Customs and Border Protection agents.
Walz’s staff, keenly aware of the stakes, urged him to temper his response. In an interview with POLITICO, he reflected on that moment, noting the need to let Trump feel victorious, a tactic he deemed necessary for adult negotiations. “It’s infuriating that you got to let him think he won or whatever,” he lamented, revealing the complex dynamics of power at play.
This call encapsulated a broader struggle for Minnesota’s Democratic officials, who were grappling with the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement. In a series of interviews with POLITICO, Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Attorney General Keith Ellison described a concerted strategy to counteract the administration’s crackdown through legal channels and public discourse, all while trying to maintain stability in a city under siege.
Behind the scenes, officials were drawing from years of painful experience, particularly the unrest following the 2020 police murder of George Floyd, which had left the city in turmoil and its leaders under scrutiny from all sides. They were determined not to repeat past mistakes, especially in the face of mounting federal pressure.
Before the tragic death of Pretti, communication between the Trump administration and Walz was minimal and unproductive, according to anonymous sources familiar with the discussions. The governor, acutely aware of Trump’s disdain for him, recognized that the call was born out of political necessity for the president, who needed a way to navigate a growing crisis.
Interestingly, a White House official claimed that Trump had always been open to collaborating with local leaders, asserting that the recent reduction in personnel was a result of their newfound cooperation. However, the reality on the ground, as portrayed by Frey, was starkly different. He firmly stated that the city’s policy prohibiting police officers from enforcing federal immigration law remained intact, emphasizing, “There were no deals cut.”
Democratic Unity Amidst Chaos
The urgency to avert chaos was palpable among Minnesota Democrats, who feared that any signs of unrest could provoke Trump into invoking the Insurrection Act, a threat he had brandished for various cities. With 3,000 ICE agents deployed and the federal presence dwarfing local law enforcement, the stakes could not have been higher.
In a bid to redirect the narrative, Walz and Frey enlisted the assistance of business leaders and state Republicans to lobby for a change in the administration’s stance. Meanwhile, Sen. Amy Klobuchar was actively communicating with White House officials to deescalate tensions following the shootings that sparked public outrage. The governor’s call for peaceful protests, coupled with the encouragement for residents to document events on their phones, reflected a calculated effort to manage the situation without sparking further conflict.
“I think the feds were waiting for Minneapolis to devolve into chaos,” recounted a Democratic city official. “Much of our strategy was focused on preventing that from happening, although it was stressful because you don’t want to upset residents.”
As the situation unfolded, Minnesota Democrats capitalized on the outrage from Pretti’s death, which went viral and ignited nationwide condemnation. The growing backlash prompted Trump to reassess his approach, leading to a series of calls to both Walz and Frey. This culminated in the announcement on February 12 that “Operation Metro Surge” was coming to an end.
Lessons for Future Leaders
The strategies employed by Minnesota officials are being closely watched by Democrats in other blue cities facing similar threats from the Trump administration. Mayors from San Francisco and Portland have already reached out to Frey for advice, while discussions between Frey and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani underscore a growing network of support among city leaders navigating the complexities of federal relations.
The Trump administration, for its part, appears to be keen on replicating its own tactics from Minnesota, as evidenced by the recent comments from border czar Tom Homan regarding “unprecedented” cooperation with local officials. However, Frey was quick to counter that Minneapolis had not altered its policies, reaffirming the city’s commitment to its separation ordinance.
In a sobering reflection on the ongoing political landscape, Minnesota leaders recognize the delicate balancing act required in their interactions with the Trump administration. Their experiences serve as a cautionary tale for other cities: a reminder that while it may be tempting to acquiesce to federal pressure, doing so could set a troubling precedent and undermine local governance.
“If you just shut up and keep your head down, maybe they won’t notice,” Frey warned, “but that is a wildly incorrect assumption. By bowing your head in despair, you will be the next city.”
