“A Terrifying Line Is Being Crossed”: Mayor Jacob Frey on the Turmoil in Minneapolis

Summary of “A Terrifying Line Is Being Crossed”: Mayor Jacob Frey on the Turmoil in Minneapolis

by The New York Times

33m•January 31, 2026
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Overview of “A Terrifying Line Is Being Crossed”: Mayor Jacob Frey on the Turmoil in Minneapolis

Host Lulu Garcia Navarro interviews Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey about the massive federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis (called Operation Metro Surge), the arrival of thousands of ICE/CBP agents, the local and national protest response, and the legal and civic stakes as the city confronts federal action. Frey describes the deployment as disproportionate and devastating to communities, explains what the city will and will not cooperate with, and frames the conflict as an inflection point for rule of law and municipal authority.

Key takeaways

  • Operation Metro Surge brought thousands of federal agents to Minneapolis (Frey cites 3,000–4,000 ICE/Border Patrol agents versus roughly 600 Minneapolis police), producing a climate of fear and large-scale protests.
  • Frey demanded a full drawdown and an end to the current operation after speaking with President Trump; leadership of the operation was shifted (Tom Homan dispatched).
  • The city will cooperate with targeted federal work against violent criminals (FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Attorney) but rejects being used to enforce broad immigration sweeps that terrorize communities.
  • Frey strongly emphasizes law and courts as the venue for resolution; he warns against federal disregard for court orders (a judge said ICE violated nearly 100 court orders).
  • The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation—subpoenas were sent—into Frey, Governor Tim Walz and others for allegedly impeding federal agents; Frey has retained counsel and calls the investigation “garbage” and politically intimidating.
  • Frey supports citizens videotaping public federal actions (“sunlight is the best disinfectant”) and draws a clear distinction between filming and unlawful physical interference.
  • Frey opposes abolishing all immigration enforcement; he favors major reform, personnel changes at ICE, and possibly moving immigration enforcement under the Department of Justice rather than DHS.
  • The conflict has broadened: protests have spread nationally, congressional Democrats press for ICE reform, and federal rhetoric includes threats of stronger enforcement and characterization of protesters as dangerous.

What happened — timeline and context

  • December: Federal Operation Metro Surge intensifies in Minneapolis after the state election fraud scandal; initial focus reportedly on Somali community, then expanded to Latino and Southeast Asian residents.
  • High-profile incidents and videos (including the killing of Alex Preddy and other deaths cited in the episode) fueled local outrage and large-scale protests.
  • Tom Homan, former Border Patrol official, was dispatched as a federal on-the-ground leader; he publicly promised de-escalation and said there would be a drawdown (which President Trump later appeared to contradict).
  • The Justice Department opened an investigation into state and local officials for allegedly conspiring to impede federal agents; subpoenas were served to the mayor’s office.

Mayor Frey’s positions and policy stance

  • Core demand: the current operation must end and federal agents must be withdrawn. Frey insists the operation is “devastating” and “feels like an invasion.”
  • Limited cooperation: Minneapolis will work with federal agencies on targeted criminal enforcement (e.g., murders, shootings) but will not deputize local police to enforce federal immigration law.
  • Legal strategy: Frey frames the conflict as a legal battle—municipalities must use courts and law to constrain federal overreach; adherence to court orders is non-negotiable.
  • ICE reform, not abolition (as mayor): Frey supports deep reform, personnel changes, and structural reconsideration (e.g., moving ICE under DOJ), but rejects calls to eliminate immigration enforcement entirely.

Legal and institutional stakes

  • Rule of law concern: Frey highlights reports that ICE has violated court orders (~100 alleged violations), arguing that federal refusal to obey courts threatens foundational republican principles.
  • DOJ investigation: Subpoenas and a federal probe into local officials raise concerns about the weaponization of federal law enforcement against political opponents and the chilling effects on local governance.
  • Constitutional red flags: Frey condemns proposals (raised publicly by some federal figures) that would coerce state or local officials (e.g., demanding voter rolls) as unconstitutional intimidation.

Impact on residents and civic life

  • Intense fear: Many residents, including citizens, have stayed home, kept children from school, and avoided essential services (doctors, daycare) because of raids and federal presence.
  • Community response: Large-scale, sustained protests, mutual aid, neighborhood support (escorting fearful residents, sharing food), and active civilian documentation of federal activity.
  • Trust rebuilding: Even if federal agents are withdrawn, Frey says reestablishing trust will be difficult and will require continued community-oriented governance and evidence of institutional accountability.

Notable quotes

  • “This operation needs to end.”
  • “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.” (on videotaping federal actions)
  • “We’re in a world of hurt that goes way beyond any individual safety if we are talking about a federal government completely ignoring court orders.”
  • On national stakes: “A terrifying line is being crossed.”

What to watch next / recommended follow-ups

  • DOJ investigation outcomes: subpoenas, grand jury activity, or charges involving local officials.
  • Federal troop/agent numbers and any concrete, verifiable drawdown or change in tactics.
  • Court rulings addressing ICE conduct and whether courts enforce compliance with existing orders.
  • Congressional action on ICE reform, oversight hearings, or legislation altering ICE’s structure or oversight.
  • Local metrics: reports on arrests/deportations by ICE, community safety indicators, and measures of resident access to services.

Bottom line

Mayor Frey frames Minneapolis as a national test case: a heavy-handed federal immigration enforcement operation has provoked civic resistance, legal battles, and deep community fear. He calls for an end to the current tactics, targeted cooperation on serious crime (not immigration sweeps), and uses the courts as the principal avenue to defend municipal authority and civil rights. The episode portrays the confrontation as both a local crisis and a potential constitutional inflection point.