Minnesota Dems are trying to walk a tightrope with Trump

Minnesota Democrats Navigate the Nuances of Trump Diplomacy

This week, Minnesota Democrats are finding themselves embroiled in the intricate dance of Trump diplomacy, a skill set that seems both essential and perplexing.

It all kicked off with President Donald Trump declaring he had a “very good call” with Governor Tim Walz. This was a notable shift after a series of sharp GOP critiques aimed at the former vice-presidential candidate. Following that, Trump boasted of another “very good” conversation, this time with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Both parties appeared eager to dial down the tension, with Trump seemingly reconsidering his earlier scathing remarks aimed at the two Democratic leaders, whom he had initially labeled as “sanctimonious political fools” in the wake of the tragic shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

However, the mayor’s attempt to maintain this newfound cordiality hit a snag.

After a meeting with Trump’s immigration czar, Tom Homan, Frey took to social media to assert that “Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws.” This was intended to clarify the city’s stance, according to a source close to Frey who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Yet, Trump swiftly retaliated, claiming Frey’s statement constituted a “serious violation of the Law” and ominously warned that the mayor was “PLAYING WITH FIRE.”

Frey was reportedly taken aback by Trump’s reaction, which city officials interpreted as a veiled threat. Nevertheless, in subsequent appearances on CNN and during the National Mayor’s Conference, Frey maintained that “Operation Metro Surge needs to end,” adopting a less confrontational tone than he had over the weekend. Homan noted that he had requested immigration agencies to prepare a “drawdown plan.” Following a tense few days, the fragile peace seemed to be holding.

This episode highlights the precarious nature of the ongoing discussions to ease the crisis in Minnesota, especially when dealing with a president known for his unpredictable negotiating tactics. As Democrats nationwide see a rare political opportunity regarding immigration, Minnesota Democrats primarily seek to quell the crackdown in their state. Despite their public bravado, there’s a palpable undercurrent of anxiety regarding whether Trump will take the exit ramp from this contentious situation.

“This back and forth [between Trump and Frey] is unhelpful,” commented a Minnesota Democratic strategist, who wished to remain anonymous to address this delicate matter. “Strategically, I wouldn’t have phrased it that way. It’s not a huge mistake, but it’s not helpful.”

It’s a lesson that international leaders have learned the hard way: diplomatic breakthroughs with Trump can be fleeting. European officials frequently scramble to respond to his controversial remarks on various matters, from the war in Ukraine to the historical ownership of Greenland, often with mixed results.

Throughout Trump’s second term, Democrats have struggled to navigate negotiations with him. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced backlash from his party for supporting a GOP-crafted continuing resolution in March. In October, Democrats orchestrated what became the longest government shutdown in U.S. history over healthcare funding, yet emerged without any substantial gains. However, in Minnesota, Democrats seem to possess the political upper hand, as Trump’s approval ratings—particularly concerning his immigration policies—have plummeted in recent weeks, indicating a possible eagerness on his part to strike a face-saving deal.

“Everyone needs to give something here to move on from this,” stated one Minnesota union leader, acknowledging the inherent challenges. A Democratic operative in the state expressed optimism that Frey’s social media post was merely “a bump on the exit ramp.”

Yet not all Minnesota Democrats are convinced that cooperation is the best approach. “Being nice isn’t going to stop Donald Trump when anything can set him off,” remarked Ron Harris, a Democratic National Committee member from Minnesota. Frey’s statement, he asserted, simply “emphasized what the law is.”

A spokesperson for Frey clarified that “the mayor has been communicating both publicly and privately, including to the president and Tom Homan, that Minneapolis would be happy to partner on criminal investigations, and that’s what we’re focusing our limited law enforcement resources on.”

As for when the Trump administration might cease its operations in Minnesota, the timeline remains uncertain, although the president appears motivated to pull back. The administration has already scaled back its activities in other states; for instance, Republican Maine Senator Susan Collins noted that ICE has “ended its enhanced activities” in Maine after bipartisan calls for cessation.

For Democrats scrutinizing Trump diplomacy, the contrasting approaches of Walz and Frey may offer valuable insights. Interviews with a dozen Minnesota Democrats revealed that while both leaders share common goals, their rhetorical styles diverge significantly—highlighted starkly by Frey’s social media tussle with Trump. “Frey’s constituency is different,” a strategist observed, “and in general, I think he’s been more combative. They’re also just different people with different negotiating styles.”

The 44-year-old mayor, seen as a potential statewide candidate, is navigating his own political calculus. With Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar’s gubernatorial bid likely to create a vacancy after 2026, Frey’s future ambitions may influence his tactics. Meanwhile, Governor Walz is unencumbered by immediate electoral pressures, having recently dropped his reelection bid after a welfare fraud scandal threatened his campaign, although he has not been personally accused of any wrongdoing.

Abou Amara, a civil rights attorney in Minneapolis, remarked that Frey’s initial confrontational rhetoric was “necessary,” but now “everyone understands there has to be a ratcheting down.” He added, “The mayor is obviously closer to the people; he understands the visceral pain and trauma they are experiencing. The governor operates on a different level, with a bit more authority regarding how the state interacts with the federal government.”

Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.