Trump's 'border czar' announces he is withdrawing 700 ICE agents from Minnesota

WashingtonHe border czar Thomas Homan, sent to Minnesota by Donald Trump, announced that 700 ICE agents will be withdrawn from the state on Wednesday as a reward for the "unprecedented cooperation" of local authorities. "An unprecedented number of counties are communicating with us and allowing ICE to arrest immigrants before they even hit the streets," Homan said at a press conference. "Thanks to this unprecedented increase in cooperation, and as a result, fewer federal agents are needed to do the job, I have announced that, effective immediately, we will be withdrawing 700 agents," he added.

In total, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had deployed 3,000 agents to Minnesota during the large-scale operation, and Homan said that "around 2,000" agents will remain deployed in the state. When Operation MetroSurge began in December, The original deployment of troops was 2,000The 1,000 subsequent arrests were the result of an escalation by the federal government following the murder of Renee Good by an ICE agent.

Operation MetroSurge, which has left two dead and continues to sow terror in the twin cities (Minnesota and Saint Paul), has been a success, according to Homan. "I think it's been very effective in terms of public safety," he asserted, without a hint of self-criticism. Homan maintained that "considering the attacks and hatred" his officers receive, they have acted "remarkably." "I wish each of you could carry that weapon, put on that bulletproof vest, and go out there to experience what they have to endure, considering the hatred, the criticism, and the attacks." I think they have acted remarkably, and I am proud of that." he said.

Homan has tried to portray the introduction of body cameras for officers, announced Monday by the Department of Homeland Security, as a demand that officers had been making from the beginning. Homan ignored the questions and complaints that have been raised for weeks about the absence of a device already used by other police departments, and how DHS Secretary Kristi Noem dodged demands regarding camera use following the murder of Renee Good. On Monday, Noem announced that the cameras would first be issued to officers deployed in Minnesota and then rolled out nationwide.

"The plan is to use them across the country, but the priority is this city. Right now, this spending bill includes $20 million to continue funding the deployment of body cameras. The president supports this decision because we have nothing to hide. We want to be fully transparent in what we do," Homan said. Ironically, one of the first actions Trump took upon returning to power was to revoke the executive order Joe Biden had signed in 2022 requiring all federal agents to wear body cameras. Likewise, Democrats in Congress continue to fight for reforms to the anti-immigration force, such as ensuring independent investigations with due process whenever an agent fires their weapon.