Former President Donald Trump is reportedly expressing serious concerns about the public perception of his administration's aggressive immigration enforcement, following the fatal shooting of a protester by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The incident has intensified scrutiny of the ongoing crackdown in Minnesota's Twin Cities.
Public Backlash and Internal Polling
According to a report from Axios, Trump has privately admitted the situation "looks bad." He is said to want Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents focused on deportations rather than engaging in street confrontations with protesters. A senior Trump adviser clarified, "He wants deportations. He wants mass deportations. What he doesn't want is what people are seeing."
Private polling data shown to Trump indicates a sharp erosion of support among crucial voter blocs. The internal GOP survey found that 60% of independent voters and 58% of undecided voters believe the President is "too focused" on deporting illegal immigrants. Furthermore, 33% of respondents think the operations are mostly targeting law-abiding people, not dangerous criminals.
Minneapolis Erupts in Protest
The crackdown has seen thousands of federal agents descend on Minneapolis, pulling individuals from cars and homes. This has sparked nightly clashes, with agents using tear gas and flash bangs against protesters who have retaliated with fireworks. The operation led to the death of 37-year-old Renee Good last week, further inflaming tensions.
Local leadership has vehemently opposed the federal actions. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the situation unsustainable, while Governor Tim Walz labelled it an "occupation," accusing agents of "kidnapping people for no reason." In response, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche accused Frey and Walz of inciting an "insurrection" in a social media post.
Broader Reputational Damage for ICE
The tactics, overseen by ICE leadership under Governor Kristi Noem, are damaging the agency's public standing. A CNN/YouGov poll found most Americans believe the crackdown is making cities less safe. Prominent conservative voices, including commentators Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly, have also criticised the administration's approach.
With Trump's 2024 victory heavily reliant on independent, moderate, and minority voters, and the 2026 midterms looming, the political fallout is a significant worry for the White House. The President has recently threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, potentially deploying U.S. troops to Minneapolis to facilitate deportations, signalling no let-up in the policy's intensity despite the growing controversy.
