Minnesota Governor Tim Walz posted a message thanking his state’s residents for their “resilience” following a difficult month that saw violence, death, and clashes with federal authorities.
Walz said in a video message posted on X on Saturday: “The rest of the country saw what the soul of Minnesota looks like. Spring is coming.”
Why It Matters
The Trump administration this week officially ended Operation Metro Surge, which was described as the largest modern U.S. immigration enforcement deployment in a single state.
Minnesota officials complained throughout the operation that it was straining local courts while igniting mass protests and triggering intense debates over constitutional rights and federal-local cooperation.
The operation spurred widespread backlash after federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, prompting bipartisan criticism and legal challenges from state and local leaders.
The fatal shootings of Good and Pretti prompted national protests and congressional oversight, with some Republicans breaking with the administration over rhetoric and tactics, underscoring political risks tied to aggressive enforcement strategies.
What To Know
Walz posted the brief message – which runs about 30 seconds – on Saturday, opening it with “Happy Valentine’s Day.” However, he then spoke hopefully about the future of the state now that federal authorities have begun a drawdown, with plans to maintain a small federal footprint in the state.
Walz, dressed in a jogging top and shorts for a run, said he was “just grateful to all of you, grateful for standing up for your neighbors.”
“We know there’s a lot of work to be done, but it’s done from the heart, it’s done with community, it’s done with working together,” Walz said, adding, “We’re still standing, and we’ll continue do the best we can.”
Walz had previously made clear that, although the federal government finally decided to significantly reduce its presence in the state, he believed much work needed to be done, including getting the administration to help cover the costs of damages to the state incurred as part of Operation Metro Surge.
In a press conference Thursday, which followed Border Czar Tim Homan’s announcement about the drawdown, Walz stressed that the federal government “needs to pay for what they broke here.”
“One of the things is, the incredible and immense costs that were borne by the people of this state, the federal government needs to be responsible,” Walz told reporters. “You don’t get to break things, and then just leave without doing something about it.”
However, Walz stressed he would not “hold my breath that the federal government’s going to do the right thing,” and instead backed his state to lead the effort to help recovery efforts.
What People Are Saying
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, on X this week: “They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation. These patriots of Minneapolis are showing that it’s not just about resistance — standing with our neighbors is deeply American. This operation has been catastrophic for our neighbors and businesses, and now it’s time for a great comeback. We will show the same commitment to our immigrant residents and endurance in this reopening, and I’m hopeful the whole country will stand with us as we move forward.”
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, on X this week: “Minnesotans stood together, stared down ICE, and never blinked.”
Border Czar Tom Homan at a press conference on Thursday: “It shouldn’t be a partisan issue that you arrest public safety threats in the safety and security of a jail. Releasing public safety threats back into the public is just stupid… I hope Congress takes action on sanctuary cities and sanctuary states.”
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