Homan Announces 700 Federal Agents Will Leave Minneapolis

Border Czar Tom Homan landed in Minneapolis with a message that was equal parts warning and reset — and he didn’t miss the chance to take a swipe at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem along the way.

Standing at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on Wednesday, Homan announced that the Trump administration will immediately pull 700 federal law enforcement agents out of Minnesota, marking a significant shift in the controversial Operation Metro Surge. The move follows weeks of unrest, deadly confrontations, and internal frustration inside the administration over how the immigration crackdown has been handled.

Homan openly conceded the operation had not been “perfect,” a remark widely seen as a pointed critique of Noem, his longtime rival, whose handling of the fallout from two fatal shootings drew the ire of President Donald Trump. Noem had inflamed tensions after echoing White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller’s claim that Alex Pretti — one of the men killed during ICE-related encounters — was a “domestic terrorist.” That characterization reportedly infuriated Trump and helped trigger Homan’s rapid deployment to Minnesota.

Homan’s presence signaled a course correction. Rather than doubling down on aggressive street operations, he announced a deal with Democratic Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey that will allow ICE to deport illegal immigrants directly from local jails. The agreement reduces the need for large-scale street arrests, which have proven dangerous, expensive, and politically explosive.

“Effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people,” Homan said. “Effective today, 700 law enforcement personnel.”

The numbers tell the story of just how dramatic the surge had become. Operation Metro Surge sent roughly 3,000 additional immigration officers into Minnesota, a state that previously had about 150. After the drawdown, Homan said, the total will sit closer to 2,000 — still far above historical levels, but a clear step back from the flashpoint tactics that fueled protests nationwide.

The announcement came just one day after Vice President JD Vance pushed back hard on claims that the administration was retreating from its mass deportation pledge. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Vance made it clear the strategy shift was about control, not surrender.