MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal officers have faced opposition in many cities impacted by President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign. Minnesota, a state embroiled in conflict with the Trump administration since 2026, became the backdrop for tragedy when a 37-year-old woman was fatally shot by an immigration officer during a protest near the site of George Floyd’s killing in 2020.
Amid this turmoil, Trump has targeted several blue states, with Minnesota becoming a vital player in his divide-and-conquer strategy. The state has been at the forefront of tension since Floyd's death sparked nationwide protests during Trump's first presidential term.
In a recent statement, Trump described Minnesota’s Somali population as “garbage” amidst ongoing investigations into allegations surrounding COVID-19 aid fraud linked to organizations servicing Somali immigrants. Consequently, Governor Tim Walz, a significant figure in Minnesota's political landscape and former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 running mate, announced this week he will not seek reelection.
In June, a Democratic lawmaker and her husband were tragically killed, an incident attributed to a Trump supporter, which conservatives refuted by labeling the attack as an operation by a supposed leftist ally of Walz. A plea was made by the martyrs' family to Trump to retract a social media post perpetuating these conspiracy theories.
Memories of the chaos that followed the killing of George Floyd
As tensions escalate, the Trump administration announced plans to deploy over 2,000 federal officers to the Twin Cities as part of what they deem the most extensive immigration enforcement operation in history. The officer involved in Renee Good's death fired shots just blocks away from where Floyd was fatally shot, evoking painful memories for residents like Stephanie Abel, 56, a Minneapolis nurse. Abel expressed her dismay at federal actions, cautioning against provoking further unrest in a city still reeling from past chaos.
“I thought the federal government would realize that now is not the time to be toying with people,” Abel remarked, indicating the severity of the current situation.
Floyd's murder triggered the most significant domestic unrest of Trump's initial term, with the president advocating for a more forceful response towards protests. In his second term, he has upped the ante by deploying military and immigration agents into blue states while issuing threats to non-compliant cities.
Recent immigration operations in other liberal regions like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland have triggered large-scale protests, and Good’s death marks at least the fifth killing related to such ICE enforcement activities.
Federal investigators have Somalis in their sights
The operation in the Twin Cities is connected to a wider conservative narrative seeking to portray Minnesota as a 'poster child' for government fraud. Although investigations into misuse of federal funds commenced during the Biden administration, Trump and conservatives have utilized the stories to frame the ongoing dialogue.
In November, Trump labeled Minnesota a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” and hinted at rescinding Temporary Protected Status for Somalis following unverified claims of funds being funneled to the militant group al-Shabab. Despite the lack of evidence, these allegations spurred concerns of funding being withheld for programs supporting needy families, particularly those operating in critical Democratic states.
‘Leave our state alone’
Given Minnesota's Democratic leanings, its situation appears predictable. Under Governor Walz, Minnesota has witnessed expansions in public welfare while still being largely Democratic in contrast with Republican trends nationwide. With Trump narrowly losing Minnesota in the 2024 election, the state's status continues to contribute to its significance in national politics.
According to political scientist David Schultz from Hamline University, Minnesota epitomizes the tensions permeating current U.S. society: urban versus rural, Democrat versus Republican. Walz, responding to the ongoing pressure, requested Trump to relent, claiming that Minnesota residents are exhausted from the president's continued scrutiny and unyielding tactics.
“And if it’s me, you’re already getting what you want, but leave my people alone,” Walz pleaded at a recent press conference, bringing attention to the need for peace and understanding within a polarized landscape.
