WATCH: Border Czar Tom Homan Announces End to Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, After Weeks of Violent Leftist Protests

by Cassandra MacDonald Feb. 12, 2026 9:45 am



White House Border Czar Tom Homan held a press conference Thursday morning, announcing that the Trump administration is ending its aggressive immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota.

Homan stated that he proposed ending the operation and that President Donald Trump has agreed.
“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan told reporters at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Fort Snelling.

Rapid Response 47



@RapidResponse47
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.@RealTomHomanin MN: "With that success that has been made arresting public safety threats and... unprecedented levels of coordination we have obtained from state officials & local law enforcement, I have proposed, and@POTUShas concurred, that this surge operation conclude."



https://twitter.com/i/status/2021953853608866297

9:25 AM · Feb 12, 2026

Operation Metro Surge began on December 1 and deployed approximately 3,000 federal immigration agents to the Twin Cities area.

The operation resulted in thousands of arrests and, according to Homan, “major successes.”

“As a result of our efforts here, Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” Homan said.

“The Twin Cities and Minnesota in general will continue to be much safer for the communities here because of what we have accomplished under President Trump’s leadership.”

Homan said that the operation “yielded the successful results we came here for,” citing improved cooperation with local law enforcement, a reduction in unlawful agitator activity, and the removal of public safety threats.

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.@RealTomHomanin Minnesota: "We now have the ability to arrest criminal aliens in the safety and security of jails throughout the state at the time they're being released... I've also directed the strategic placement of officers in certain areas throughout the state that can

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https://twitter.com/i/status/2021952751232602222

9:21 AM · Feb 12, 2026

Homan explained, “We now have the ability to arrest criminal aliens in the safety and security of jails throughout the state at the time they’re being released… I’ve also directed the strategic placement of officers in certain areas throughout the state that can respond quickly to sheriffs that want to release somebody.”

A significant drawdown of agents is already underway this week and will continue into next week.

Homan said he will remain on the ground “for a little longer” to ensure a smooth transition.

The announcement comes after more than two months of daily protests outside the federal building, where demonstrators clashed with agents and demanded an immediate end to the operation.

“For those that say we are backing down from immigration enforcement or the promise of mass deportations, you are simply wrong… prioritizing public safety threats and national security threats doesn’t mean we’re forgetting about everybody else,” Homan claimed.

Rapid Response 47



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.@RealTomHoman: "For those that say we are backing down from immigration enforcement or the promise of mass deportations, you are simply wrong... prioritizing public safety threats and national security threats doesn't mean we're forgetting about everybody else."



https://twitter.com/i/status/2021953884705763562

9:25 AM · Feb 12, 2026

Democrat Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey had both met with Homan recently and expressed hopes for a quick wind-down.

The operation drew national attention after two leftist anti-ICE agitators, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, and Renee Good, also 37, were fatally shot in two separate incidents during enforcement actions in January.

Those incidents led to louder calls from Democrats to end ICE operations.

Watch the full press conference here:

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...end-operation/