Former President Donald Trump has revealed he held a "very good" telephone conversation with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, marking a significant diplomatic outreach as federal authorities grapple with escalating chaos in the city.
Direct Presidential Intervention
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to announce the development, writing: "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 communication represents a notable attempt to bridge political divides, with Trump reaching across the aisle to both Frey and fellow Democrat Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Homan Takes Charge of Deteriorating Situation
The presidential promise involves Frey working collaboratively with Border Czar Tom Homan to improve the volatile situation. This comes as part of a Homan-led shakeup of immigration enforcement operations in the region. Trump sidelined Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday, dispatching Homan to assume control of the deteriorating crisis in Minnesota.
The decision follows Saturday's fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, which triggered explosive violence between federal agents and rioters. Homan is expected to hold a press conference later today where significant personnel changes will be announced, including the departure of controversial Border Patrol official Greg Bovino along with hundreds of his agents.
Controversial Figure Removed
Bovino, who became the controversial public face of Trump's immigration crackdown and a close ally of Secretary Noem, sparked fury within the White House when he claimed Pretti intended to "massacre" federal agents. His removal from Minneapolis operations underscores Noem's fading standing with the administration as Trump dispatches Homan and his closest allies to seize control of ground operations.
A Border Patrol veteran of thirty years, Bovino was selected last year from his role as chief patrol agent of the agency's El Centro sector in Southern California to lead highly publicized immigration crackdowns nationwide. His aggressive tactics, often involving highly choreographed public displays, generated substantial backlash from local officials and communities.
Administration Tensions Surface
The situation has exposed significant rifts within the administration. Secretary Noem branded the deceased ICU nurse a "domestic terrorist" and claimed he brandished a firearm, sparking further frustration among White House officials. Trump reportedly spent hours on Sunday and Monday watching cable news coverage, becoming unsettled by how his administration was being portrayed in media reports.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt moved to distance Trump from Noem's language on Monday, arguing that characterizing Pretti as a terrorist "was not a position that the President had taken." This public clarification highlights the administration's attempt to manage the narrative surrounding the Minneapolis crisis.
Personnel Power Struggles
Bovino's loyalties reportedly lay with Noem and her rumored associate Corey Lewandowski, with both quietly promoting him as a potential replacement for current Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott, a longtime ally of Homan. Noem had sought to sideline Scott by having Bovino report directly to her, an unprecedented move within the agency that now appears to have backfired.
The controversial official often stood out during operations as the only agent not wearing a face covering when Border Patrol descended on locations like Home Depot stores and gas stations. His distinctive appearance—frequently spotted on frontlines sporting a severe buzzcut and trench coat—went viral on social media, with German media outlets likening his aesthetic to "Nazi" imagery.
Broader Political Repercussions
California Governor Gavin Newsom commented publicly on the situation, stating on social media platform X: "Greg Bovino dressed up as if he literally went on eBay and purchased SS garb. Greg Bovino, secret police, private army, masked men, people disappearing quite literally, no due process." This criticism reflects broader concerns about enforcement methods that have strained relations between federal authorities and local governments.
Previously, relations between Trump and left-wing leaders in Minnesota had deteriorated significantly following recent ICE raids in Minneapolis and protests responding to the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The current diplomatic outreach through Mayor Frey represents an attempt to de-escalate tensions and establish cooperative channels amid ongoing civil unrest.
