In a significant political intervention, former President Donald Trump has issued a direct public demand to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, calling for the immediate handover of all migrants with any criminal history to federal immigration authorities. This forceful statement follows the recent ICE-involved shooting of Alex Pretti, an incident that has intensified national debates over immigration enforcement and federal-state cooperation.
A Direct Appeal on Social Media
The former president made his position unequivocally clear through a detailed post on his Truth Social platform this Sunday. In his message, Trump explicitly called upon Governor Walz, alongside Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, to end what he characterised as resistance to federal law. He framed his demand as a necessary step to uphold national legislation and restore order, starkly contrasting it with what he described as actions that foster division, chaos, and violence.
Specific Instructions for State and Local Authorities
Trump's directive was precise and far-reaching. He ordered that Minnesota authorities must turn over every migrant currently incarcerated in state prisons and local jails who is in the country illegally and has a criminal record. Furthermore, his instructions extended to individuals with active warrants or any known criminal history, stating they should be surrendered for immediate deportation proceedings.
The former president's demands did not stop at state-level officials. He also asserted that local police forces across the United States have a duty to assist federal authorities. This includes agreeing to hand over any migrant who has committed a crime and actively participating in the arrest of migrants accused of criminal activities, thereby reinforcing a vision of seamless federal-local collaboration on immigration enforcement.
Broader Call to Democratic Leaders
Beyond the specific focus on Minnesota, Trump's social media post broadened into a wider appeal. He called upon every Democrat governor and mayor across the nation to formally cooperate with what he termed the "Trump Administration" to enforce the country's immigration laws. This represents a clear effort to frame immigration policy as a fundamental issue of law and order, challenging Democratic-led jurisdictions to align with federal enforcement priorities.
The former president's statement arrives amid ongoing and heated national discussions concerning the balance between state autonomy and federal immigration authority. It underscores the deep political divisions that continue to define the American immigration debate, particularly regarding the handling of individuals with criminal records who are suspected of being in the country without legal authorisation.
This remains a developing news story, and further updates are anticipated as reactions from Minnesota officials and other political leaders emerge in response to Trump's pronounced demands.
