Trump Touts ‘Progress’ In Minneapolis After ‘Very Good’ Call With Mayor Jacob Frey

Trump Touts ‘Progress’ in Minneapolis After ‘Very Good’ Call with Mayor Jacob Frey United States Federal-City Talks Aim to Reduce Tensions Amid Federal Agent Pullback After days of violence and national scrutiny, Trump and Minneapolis leaders signal steps toward de-escalation Source: New York Post and major outlet
President Donald Trump publicly declared that significant “progress” is being made in Minneapolis after a “very good telephone conversation” with the city’s Democratic Mayor, Jacob Frey, on Monday evening, January 26, 2026. Trump’s comments shared on his social media platform came amid national uproar over federal immigration enforcement operations and recent fatal shootings involving federal agents in the city. Trump said the two had a constructive dialogue and that Tom Homan, his appointed “border czar,” will meet with Mayor Frey the following day to continue discussions on addressing the situation.
In a Truth Social post, the president said:
“I just had a very good telephone conversation with Mayor Jacob Frey, of Minneapolis. Lots of progress is being made! Tom Homan will be meeting with him tomorrow in order to continue the discussion.”
This tone represents a more cooperative stance from Trump after several days of national criticism over the federal response in Minneapolis. Mayor Frey acknowledged the call and framed it around his key concern ending the federal Operation Metro Surge enforcement initiative in his city. Frey said he emphasized to Trump how much Minneapolis benefits from its immigrant communities and insisted that the current federal strategy could not continue as it had been. He stated that Trump “agreed the present situation can’t continue,” and indicated that some federal agents will begin leaving Minneapolis as early as Tuesday, although others such as ICE personnel remain for now. Frey also noted that while Minneapolis will continue cooperating on legitimate criminal investigations, the city will not participate in what it deems unconstitutional immigration arrests.
The focus on Minneapolis stems from a federal immigration enforcement surge known as Operation Metro Surge, which deployed thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents to Minnesota. Protests both peaceful and confrontational erupted following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti and earlier incidents involving federal agents, leading to widespread community outrage and political backlash.
The situation drew bipartisan concern, with national coverage highlighting ongoing legal reviews, demonstrations and mounting pressure for de-escalation. Reports indicate that Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and some federal agents are expected to begin exiting Minneapolis, in a shift from the previously aggressive enforcement posture. Trump’s administration dispatched Tom Homan to oversee continued discussions and operations on the ground.
The federal government is balancing enforcement with efforts to quell protests and address legal and public safety concerns.
This exchange between Trump and Mayor Frey reflects a rare moment of dialogue amid heightened tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local authorities. The steps toward pulling back some federal agents and prioritising shared public safety goals may ease conflict in Minneapolis a city at the heart of nationwide debates on immigration, policing and civil rights.
While Trump continues to defend immigration enforcement broadly, this engagement signals a potential shift toward negotiation and reduction of conflict, even as broader legal and political battles continue. President Trump’s positive framing of his call with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and the planned follow-up meeting with border czar Tom Homan suggests a move toward de-escalation after days of unrest related to federal immigration operations. Both sides appear to be seeking common ground while navigating community concerns and the complex dynamics of federal-city relations.