Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has launched a blistering attack on the Trump administration, accusing federal immigration agents of placing his city 'under siege' in a move he describes as designed to intimidate.
'A Military Occupation' in Minneapolis
Appearing on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, Frey did not hold back in his criticism of recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. He told host Jake Tapper that Minneapolis felt 'invaded' during a crackdown orchestrated by President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security.
"This is ridiculous, but we will not be intimidated by the actions of this federal government," Frey stated unequivocally. His comments came in support of a recent editorial by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, which characterised Minnesota as being 'under siege' and drew parallels with a 'military occupation'.
Mayor Frey's Constitutional Challenge
Frey went further, branding the administration's tactics as 'not fair' and 'completely unconstitutional.' He urged observers to use any strong language they saw fit to describe the situation. "Under siege, occupied, you know, use whatever word or superlative that you wanna attach," he said to Tapper. "But the bottom line is what is taking place is designed to intimidate."
Despite the pressure, the Mayor expressed immense pride in his city's response. He highlighted how residents were standing firm in the face of what he termed 'adversity', adding, "I was so proud to be from Minneapolis."
Broader Implications of Federal Action
The confrontation underscores the deepening rift between numerous US city leaders and the federal government over immigration enforcement policies. Frey's stark language reflects a growing sentiment among some local officials that aggressive federal tactics overstep legal and ethical boundaries.
The situation, which Frey addressed in his television appearance on Sunday, January 16, 2026, remains fluid. This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as tensions between local and federal authorities continue to unfold.
