Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey traveled to Washington, D.C., on Thursday to press federal officials to halt what he describes as unlawful Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in his city. The visit follows escalating public tension between Frey and President Donald Trump over local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The dispute was also reported by Fox News.
Frey’s office confirmed the mayor is lobbying lawmakers and fellow mayors to oppose ongoing federal operations in Minneapolis. His trip comes shortly after he stated publicly that the city would not enforce federal immigration laws, a position that drew a sharp response from the White House. The disagreement intensified after Trump addressed the issue on social media.
Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday that he was surprised by Frey’s comments following what he described as a positive conversation with the mayor. He wrote that Frey’s stance was a serious violation of the law and warned that the mayor was “playing with fire.”
The clash is escalating beyond Minneapolis
Frey responded shortly afterward on X, saying local police should focus on public safety rather than immigration enforcement, similar to coverage of broader administrative shifts in federal oversight, including reports on the Australian detention center’s role in federal operations. He argued that officers should prioritize preventing violent crime and ensuring residents feel safe contacting authorities, rather than participating in federal immigration actions. Frey compared Minneapolis’s approach to policies previously used in New York City under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
While Frey traveled to Washington, federal immigration activity continued in Minnesota. White House border czar Tom Homan is overseeing ICE operations in Minneapolis and said Thursday morning that he plans to remain in the state until, in his words, “the problem is gone.” Homan added that the administration is working on a drawdown plan that could eventually reduce the federal presence.
Frey’s visit to the nation’s capital is brief, with a scheduled appearance at the U.S. Conference of Mayors before returning to Minneapolis later Thursday. His office said he also plans to meet with federal lawmakers and other mayors to advocate for ending Operation Metro Surge. City officials argue the operation has disrupted families, hurt small businesses, and placed additional strain on local law enforcement resources, as governments abroad have recently moved to formally designate enforcement bodies as terrorist organizations formally.
The Department of Justice is reportedly examining statements made by both Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz related to their opposition to ICE activities. Frey has said Minneapolis may be among the largest ICE deployment sites in the country, but warned that other cities could face similar operations if local leaders do not respond.
Published: Jan 30, 2026 05:00 am