Tim Walz meets with Tom Homan, agrees to 'ongoing talks' amid Minneapolis unrest
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Minnesota Gov Tim Walz met White House border czar Tom Homan on Tuesday, January 27, with both sides agreeing to maintain “ongoing dialogue” amid mounting scrutiny of the federal response to a fatal shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis.
Walz used the meeting to reiterate Minnesota’s priorities, including impartial investigations into the shootings, a significant reduction in the number of federal forces in the state, and an end to what his office described as a campaign of retribution.
Walz lays out Minnesota’s demands
Walz outlined key demands during his meeting with White House border czar Tom Homan, including impartial investigations into the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents, a swift, significant reduction in the number of federal forces in the state, and an end to what his office described as a campaign of retribution against Minnesota.
Walz and Homan “will continue working toward those goals, which the President also agreed to yesterday,” the governor’s office said.
According to the statement, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety will serve as the primary liaison with Homan as the two sides work toward addressing the state’s concerns.
The meeting comes as state officials have forcefully pushed back against the scale and tactics of the federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents, which has intensified tensions and drawn widespread criticism.
New development, follow-up to Trump-Walz call
Walz’s meeting with Homan follows a Monday phone call with President Trump, which both described as constructive.
“It was a very good call, and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, striking a notably conciliatory tone.
In a separate statement, Walz said Trump agreed to consider reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and pledged to speak with the Department of Homeland Security about ensuring state officials can investigate Pretti’s death.
Trump calls for ‘honorable and honest’ investigation
On Tuesday, Trump publicly called for an “honorable and honest” investigation into the fatal shooting and said he would be personally monitoring the process.
“Well you know, we are doing a big investigation. I want to see the investigation. I’m going to be watching over it,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for a trip to Iowa. “I want a very honorable and honest investigation. I have to see it myself.”
When asked whether he believed Pretti’s killing was justified, the president declined to answer directly, emphasizing the need to review the investigation's findings.
White House shifts approach in Minneapolis
Trump’s remarks struck a more measured tone than those of several administration officials who have characterized Pretti as a “domestic te***rist.” The White House has appeared to recalibrate its approach over the past day.
On Monday, Trump announced he was sending Homan to Minneapolis to oversee the federal response, effectively sidelining Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino and signaling a strategic shift amid mounting political pressure.
