Leavitt explains Trump’s ‘softer touch’ as federal‑state partnership to keep deportations effective

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House on Thursday sought to clarify President Donald Trump’s recent comments about adopting a “softer touch” in immigration enforcement, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying that the president was referring not to scaling back deportations but to increased cooperation between federal, state and local authorities.

Leavitt addressed the issue during a press briefing following days of scrutiny over Trump’s remarks, which came after the fatal shootings of two US citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis and a subsequent partial withdrawal of immigration officers from Minnesota.

White House frames 'softer touch' as multi-level coordination

Leavitt rejected suggestions that the administration was reconsidering its aggressive immigration posture, saying that the president’s language had been misconstrued.

“That ‘softer touch’ the president is referring to is that cooperation that is necessary between state and local authorities, and federal government authorities,” Leavitt said.

“That cooperation ensures that we can continue deporting illegal aliens from our communities without tons of agents having to go after one illegal alien,” she added.

She suggested that the comment meant logistical adjustment rather than a philosophical shift, emphasizing efficiency and coordination over a heavy federal footprint in Minnesota.

Trump’s remarks followed deadly Minneapolis shootings

Trump first raised the idea of a “softer touch” during an Oval Office interview Wednesday with NBC News’ Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas, following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in separate encounters involving federal agents in Minneapolis.

“I learned that maybe we could use a little bit of a softer touch,” Trump said in the interview. “But you still have to be tough. We’re dealing with really hard criminals.”

The shootings sparked protests across Minneapolis and drew fierce criticism from local and state leaders, who accused federal authorities of excessive force and poor coordination with local law enforcement.

Trump has been engaged in a public feud with Minnesota Gov Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who have condemned the federal operations in their city.

The president said that he personally reached out to both officials following the shootings.

“I’ve called the governor. I’ve called the mayor. Spoke to them. Had great conversations with them,” Trump said. “And then I see them ranting and raving out there. Literally as though a call wasn’t made.”

Administration presses local governments on detainees

Earlier Wednesday, White House border czar Tom Homan announced that 700 federal immigration agents would be withdrawn from Minnesota as part of a partial drawdown of the enforcement surge that had triggered weeks of protests.

Trump said the move was not arbitrary but linked to cooperation from local authorities.

“But it didn’t come from me because I just wanted to do it,” Trump said, suggesting the decision depended on whether local officials would assist federal efforts.

He added that his administration was waiting for local governments to release detainees and hand over violent offenders.