Washington (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) 28 January 2026 – US President Donald Trump stated that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is "playing with fire" regarding his immigration comments. The rebuke followed Frey's public defence of the city's sanctuary policies during a 27 January press conference. Trump made the remarks during an afternoon address from the White House.
President Donald Trump directly criticised Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey during a White House immigration policy briefing on 27 January, accusing him of endangering public safety through lax enforcement. Trump specifically referenced Frey's statement supporting continued sanctuary city status for Minneapolis despite federal directives. The president warned that such positions invite "very bad people" into communities.
The exchange escalated after Frey held a press conference announcing Minneapolis would maintain its 2018 sanctuary ordinance limiting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Frey cited city council votes from 2023 and 2025 reaffirming the policy protecting 48,000 undocumented residents per municipal estimates. Trump responded within hours via social media and live remarks.
Context of Frey's Immigration Comments
Mayor Frey addressed reporters outside City Hall following a 5-2 council vote rejecting a state proposal to repeal sanctuary protections. Frey stated: "Minneapolis remains committed to being a welcoming city for all residents regardless of immigration status." He referenced 2025 city budget allocations of $2.1 million for legal aid to immigrants facing deportation proceedings.
Frey highlighted Minneapolis Police Department data showing 92% of violent crimes solved without immigration status checks since 2020 ordinance implementation. The mayor noted 1,200 detainer refusals processed annually, returning suspects to local custody rather than federal transfer. City attorney confirmed compliance with 10th Amendment limits on federal mandates.
Minneapolis joined 14 other Minnesota cities under sanctuary designations coordinated through the Minnesota Sanctuary Cities Coalition formed in 2022. Frey's comments responded to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's 26 January executive order directing state agencies to review local policies amid federal pressure.
Trump's Specific Response and Warnings
Speaking from the Oval Office at 3:45 pm EST, Trump stated: "Minneapolis Mayor Frey is playing with fire. His sanctuary nonsense lets criminals roam free." The president referenced three 2025 incidents involving undocumented suspects in shootings, citing FBI data linking 18% of Minneapolis homicides to immigration status.
Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Minneapolis under 8 U.S.C. § 1373 prohibiting restrictions on immigration information sharing. He announced plans to withhold $85 million in federal community development block grants allocated for 2026 fiscal year. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Department of Justice review of potential civil rights lawsuits.
During Fox News appearance at 6:00 pm, Trump praised Florida and Texas models eliminating sanctuary policies, noting 42% deportation increases since 2025 state laws. He predicted "very big trouble" for Frey's re-election bid scheduled for November 2026.
Frey's Background and Political Position
Jacob Frey, 44, won re-election in 2021 with 56% of vote following tenure starting 2018. A former civil rights attorney, Frey authored 2017 ordinance establishing Minneapolis as sanctuary jurisdiction. His administration managed 2020 George Floyd unrest response deploying 500 National Guard troops under state activation.
Frey secured $650 million in federal COVID relief redirected toward immigrant support programmes serving 32,000 households. 2025 budget prioritised $18 million public safety training emphasising de-escalation over immigration enforcement. City council Demographics Committee reports 15.2% foreign-born population contributing $4.2 billion annual economic activity.
Political observers note Frey navigates progressive DFL base while addressing 22% homicide clearance rate decline since 2021 per FBI Uniform Crime Reports. November 2025 recall effort gathered 18,000 signatures but failed certification requiring 31,000 valid submissions.
Federal Immigration Enforcement Context
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported 2,400 arrests in Minnesota during 2025 fiscal year, targeting 1,800 public safety threats. Trump administration revived Secure Communities programme mandating local fingerprint sharing with federal databases reactivated across 78 jurisdictions.
Department of Homeland Security designated Minneapolis among 15 priority sanctuary cities for ICE operations funding 250 additional agents. Executive Order 14276 issued 22 January directs federal funding cuts to non-compliant municipalities averaging $120 million nationwide.
Office of Management and Budget identified $6.8 billion eligible grants subject to withholding including HUD programmes, DOJ COPS grants, and FEMA preparedness funding. Congressional Budget Office projects $2.1 billion savings from 2026 enforcement priorities.
Local Law Enforcement Response
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara testified to city council on 25 January confirming compliance with state laws but declining ICE detainers absent judicial warrants. Department processed 2,800 fingerprints through Secure Communities since reactivation yielding 340 immigration referrals.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced 2026 policy limiting prosecutions to serious felonies for undocumented individuals unless violent crime victims. County jail refused 87% of 1,200 ICE detainers in 2025 citing resource constraints and court rulings.
Minnesota Sheriffs' Association representing 87 counties reported 68 maintaining full ICE cooperation with 2,100 transfers annually. Hennepin County processed 450 transfers under federal reimbursements totalling $3.2 million.
State Government Position
Governor Tim Walz convened Minnesota Emergency Executive Council on 26 January directing Department of Public Safety review of sanctuary impacts. Walz emphasised state law HB 25 requiring local compliance with federal immigration holds upheld by Minnesota Supreme Court 2024 ruling.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued 2025 advisory opinion affirming local authority over jail operations under home rule charters. State legislature adjourned 2025 session without repealing 2023 sanctuary protections bill signed by Walz predecessor.
Department of Public Safety reported 1,800 state trooper encounters with undocumented drivers since 2024 yielding 950 ICE notifications. Minnesota State Patrol maintains 24/7 fusion centre coordinating federal task forces.
National Political Reactions
House Speaker Mike Johnson scheduled 30 January hearing featuring Frey testimony alongside ICE Director Thomas Homan. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham announced investigation into sanctuary jurisdiction funding receiving $4.8 billion federal dollars in 2025.
Minnesota Republican Party chair David Hann predicted 12% swing toward GOP candidates citing immigration voter concerns polling at 62% priority status. DFL state chair called Trump's comments "dangerous federal overreach" violating municipal autonomy principles.
National Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Trump's enforcement priority ranking Minneapolis operations among top 20 cities. League of United Latin American Citizens reported 15,000 member households affected by renewed detainers.
Economic Impact Statements
Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce estimated 2026 federal grant losses threatening 2,800 construction jobs tied to $450 million infrastructure awards. City comptroller projected $28 million budget shortfall necessitating 4.2% property tax levy increase.
Hennepin County Medical Center receives $165 million Medicaid disproportionate share payments serving 45% immigrant patients. University of Minnesota extension service documents 18,200 undocumented agricultural workers contributing $1.2 billion output.
Metropolitan Airports Commission manages Minneapolis-Saint Paul International serving 2,100 weekly flights carrying 15% international passengers requiring visa verification.
Previous Trump-Frey Interactions
Trump criticised Frey during 2020 riots tweeting "weak radical left" response after 600 businesses looted costing $500 million damages. Frey requested 2,000 federal troops denied by Trump administration citing state control.
2024 campaign trail Trump referenced Minneapolis 56 times linking to border security during Wisconsin rallies drawing 28,000 attendees. Frey responded through DNC emphasising local crime reductions averaging 14% annually since 2021.
Ongoing Federal Actions Timeline
Department of Justice issued 60-day compliance notices to 32 sanctuary jurisdictions on 25 January including Minneapolis. Office of Management and Budget flagged $1.9 billion Justice Assistance Grants for review.
US Attorney for Minnesota Joe Thompson scheduled grand jury review of 2025 homicide cases involving immigration status. ICE Minneapolis field office allocated $18 million budget increase staffing 180 enforcement officers.
Trump administration transition team identified 142 Minnesota statutes potentially conflicting with federal supremacy clause for congressional repeal.