Trump sends border czar Homan to Minnesota to oversee ICE and probe 'massive' welfare fraud
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Donald Trump announced on Monday, January 26, that he is dispatching White House ‘border czar’ Tom Homan to Minnesota to assume direct oversight of federal operations in the state.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said Homan would arrive “tonight” to oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and coordinate with officials leading investigations into what the administration describes as widespread financial fraud.
The deployment marks a significant escalation in Washington’s response to protests that have erupted after the Minneapolis shooting and other clashes between federal agents and demonstrators. Trump said Homan “knows and likes many of the people there,” and will “report directly to me," bypassing the usual chain of command.
Border czar to manage ICE operations
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed in a post on X, that Homan will be “managing ICE Operations on the ground in Minnesota” with a directive “to continue arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.”
While Trump acknowledged that Homan “has not been involved in that area” previously, the administration is positioning him as the central authority for restoring control. Leavitt said Homan’s role will extend beyond immigration enforcement, noting that he will also “coordinate with those leading investigations” into financial crimes.
Massive welfare fraud fuels violent protests
I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me. Separately, a major investigation is going on with respect to the massive 20 Billion Dollar,…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 26, 2026
The President explicitly tied the deployment to allegations of systemic theft. Trump wrote that a “major investigation is going on with respect to the massive 20 Billion Dollar, Plus, Welfare Fraud that has taken place in Minnesota.”
He linked those claims to unrest in the streets, asserting that the alleged corruption “is at least partially responsible for the violent organized protests going on.” Leavitt echoed that framing, stating that the fraud has resulted in “billions of taxpayer dollars being stolen from law-abiding citizens in Minnesota.”
Congresswoman Omar faces financial scrutiny
Trump also used the announcement to single out Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar. “Additionally, the DOJ and Congress are looking at ‘Congresswoman’ Ilhan Omar,” he wrote.
He questioned the source of her personal wealth, claiming she “left Somalia with NOTHING, and is now reportedly worth more than 44 Million Dollars.” The President offered no evidence but added a warning: “Time will tell all.”
Homan reports directly to President
Tom Homan will be managing ICE Operations on the ground in Minnesota to continue arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. In addition, Tom will coordinate with those leading investigations into the massive, widespread fraud that has resulted in billions of… pic.twitter.com/pm552dhpxq
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 26, 2026
By directing Homan to report straight to the Oval Office, Trump is centralizing command of the federal response in Minnesota, where unrest has escalated following the fatal shooting of a US citizen by federal agents and widespread protests. The structure places both immigration enforcement and fraud investigations under a single authority aligned with the White House.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the dual mandate is intended to address public safety and financial concerns simultaneously. Trump closed his announcement with a pointed sign-off: “Thank you for your attention to this matter!
