The president said Tom Homan will travel to Minnesota as unrest intensifies in Minneapolis following deadly confrontations between protesters and federal immigration agents.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Monday that he is sending Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota as protests and violence continue to escalate in the Minneapolis area following the fatal shooting of a local activist by Customs and Border Protection agents over the weekend. Trump announced the move on his social media platform, saying he is dispatching his Border Czar to the state as federal authorities respond to weeks of unrest tied to immigration enforcement operations.
“I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight,” Trump wrote. “He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me.”
Trump connected the ongoing demonstrations to what he described as large-scale fraud in Minnesota, alleging a coordinated effort to divert attention from financial misconduct. In posts over the weekend, the president said there was a “cover up” aimed at distracting from billions of dollars in suspected fraud and accused Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of “inciting insurrection.”
In his latest statement, Trump said a major investigation is underway into what he characterized as “massive 20 Billion Dollar, Plus, Welfare Fraud” in the state, adding that it is “at least partially responsible for the violent organized protests going on in the streets.” He also said Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar is under investigation, writing that the Department of Justice and Congress are examining claims that she amassed millions of dollars through fraud. “Additionally, the DOJ and Congress are looking at ‘Congresswoman’ Illhan Omar, who left Somalia with NOTHING, and is now reportedly worth more than 44 Million Dollars. Time will tell all. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT,” Trump wrote.
Protests in Minneapolis have persisted for weeks following a federal surge of nearly 3,000 immigration officers into the city. Demonstrations intensified after two local activists were killed in separate violent encounters with immigration agents. The most recent incident occurred Saturday and involved a 37-year-old man identified as Alex Pretty.
Video footage showed a single federal agent attempting to hold the entrance of a Minneapolis hotel as a crowd of protesters tried to force their way inside, apparently believing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were staying there. The agent appeared bloodied and was heard questioning why local law enforcement officers were not present as members of the press surrounded him.
According to video and eyewitness accounts, anti-ICE protesters converged on the Home2 Suites by Hilton in Minneapolis, throwing objects at people inside the building, smashing windows, and spray-painting graffiti on the exterior. Those inside barricaded entrances with vending machines. “We’re all locals, it’s all locals!” one man shouted while attempting to fend off the crowd. “You guys are doing this for no reason.”
Additional footage circulating online later that night showed heavily armed federal agents arriving in an armored vehicle and deploying tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd. At least two people were taken into custody during the confrontation.
Authorities have not confirmed whether federal immigration agents were staying at the hotel at the time of the incident. Federal officials have also not released additional details regarding arrests or injuries as investigations into the violence and the broader unrest continue.
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