U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday, accusing him of “playing with fire” after the mayor reiterated that the city would not assist federal agents in enforcing immigration laws. The comments came just one day after Trump suggested his administration would “de-escalate a bit” in the city following a week of growing tension.
Minneapolis has been on edge since two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by federal officers in recent days, including nurse Alex Pretti, whose death on Saturday sparked widespread protests. While city officials and community leaders have called for accountability, observers say that federal immigration raids have become more controlled and less confrontational over the past 24 hours.
Mayor Frey has stood firm in his refusal to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing the importance of protecting immigrant communities and maintaining public trust. The White House, however, has criticized Minneapolis’s stance, framing it as an obstruction of federal law enforcement.
Civil rights groups have urged the Justice Department to open an investigation into the shootings and the broader use of federal force in the city. Calls for calm continue as Minneapolis works to recover from months of unrest and strained relations between local and federal authorities.