Trump says he's 'not at all' pulling ICE out of Minnesota despite Tom Homan's 'draw down' talks

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, January 29, firmly rejected the notion of pulling back federal deployments in Minnesota.

Trump's comments came hours after border czar Tom Homan described plans to "draw down" the federal presence in the state following a wave of national unrest and political backlash.

Trump denies plans to withdraw federal agents from Minnesota

While attending the premiere of the documentary "Melania" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Trump was asked by a reporter if his administration planned to retreat from its current deployments in Minnesota. 

He dismissed the idea immediately, stating, "No, no. Not at all. We want to keep our country safe. We'll do whatever we can to keep our country safe." 

This stance came at a time where his own border czar had suggested just hours earlier that the federal footprint in the state was due for a significant reduction.

Tom Homan's promise of ‘massive changes’, drawdown

Earlier that same day, Tom Homan, said they would "draw down" the federal presence in Minnesota.

The Trump administration is dealing with a lot of anger from the public because of their handling of immigration, especially after the federal agents shot and killed two American citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.

Tom Homan said there would be "massive changes occurring here in this city." 

Homan mentioned that the government would use "less agents in the streets" and focus more on jails and immigrants with criminal records. 

He had stated that, "I’m not here because the federal has carried its mission out perfectly," but promised to change things because "President Trump wants this fixed and I’m going to fix it with your help."

Notably, Trump sent Homan to Minnesota this week after mounting criticism over Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino’s recent operations.

Homan told reporters, “I didn’t come to Minnesota for photo ops or headlines. I came here to seek solutions.”

MN Senator Smith rejects Homan’s ‘conciliatory words’

Meanwhile, Senator Tina Smith, D-Minnesota, expressed deep skepticism regarding Homan’s promises of reform, telling CNN that she was "not at all" satisfied with what Homan or Trump are saying.

Smith criticized the lack of a concrete timeline for a full withdrawal, stating, "It was more conciliatory words but no detail." 

She wants the agents to leave completely, saying, "I’m looking for information about when troops are leaving. I think ICE needs to get out of Minnesota. I think it is dangerous when they are there."