White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt backed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday. The administration is expanding its response as tensions flare in Minnesota. President Trump announced he will deploy Border Czar Tom Homan to the Twin Cities tonight.
Leavitt insisted that Noem maintains the "utmost confidence" of the President. Noem is currently managing a massive winter storm alongside the national immigration crackdown. Homan will report directly to Trump and manage ICE operations on the ground.
"Mr. Homan is someone who has been lauded for many, many decades," Leavitt stated. She noted that even Barack Obama once honored Homan for his work in law enforcement. The administration believes Homan is "tough but fair" and ready to restore order.
Homan will coordinate investigations into massive, widespread fraud in Minnesota. Trump claims a "20 Billion Dollar, Plus, Welfare Fraud" is occurring in the state. He suggested this theft is partly responsible for the violent protests in the streets.
The deployment follows the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents on Saturday. Federal authorities say Pretti approached agents with a handgun and violently resisted disarming. This was the second fatal shooting involving federal law enforcement in Minneapolis this month.
Trump also revealed a "productive" phone call with Governor Tim Walz on Monday. The President demanded that Walz turn over all incarcerated criminal illegal aliens immediately. He also called for local police to assist federal agents in apprehending wanted fugitives.
Governor Walz urged the President to reduce the federal footprint in the state. He is pushing for independent investigations into the recent deaths by federal agents. Trump agreed to look into more coordinated enforcement regarding violent criminals.
The administration remains focused on its mission to remove public safety threats. Leavitt defended Senior Border Patrol Commander Gregor Bovino as a "great professional." Bovino will continue to lead CBP efforts while Homan focuses on the Twin Cities.
Trump signaled that the federal government will not back down from its immigration goals. He cited recent successes in cities like Memphis and New Orleans as models for Minnesota. The President remains committed to ending the "chaos" and protecting law-abiding citizens.