Homan Gets to Work in MN and Meets Walz, Inside the Funding of MN Activist Networks: AM Update 1/28

Summary of Homan Gets to Work in MN and Meets Walz, Inside the Funding of MN Activist Networks: AM Update 1/28

by SiriusXM

21m•January 28, 2026
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Overview of Homan Gets to Work in MN and Meets Walz, Inside the Funding of MN Activist Networks: AM Update 1/28

This AM Update (Megan Kelly, SiriusXM) covers four main news threads: the federal immigration operation in Minneapolis and Tom Homan’s visit to Minnesota to try to negotiate cooperation; reporting on who may be funding organized anti‑ICE activist networks; President Trump’s kickoff of the 2026 midterm campaign in Iowa; and a diplomatic dispute after reports that U.S. ICE/HSI personnel would support security at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. The segment mixes on‑the‑ground developments, political reactions, and investigative claims about funding and foreign influence.

Tom Homan in Minnesota — demands, meetings, local reaction

  • What’s happening:

    • Border czar Tom Homan was sent by the administration to Minnesota to try to build cooperation with state and local leaders after clashes over federal immigration enforcement and the fatal Saturday shooting of anti‑ICE activist Alex Preddy during a confrontation with a border agent.
    • The White House laid out three demands for reducing federal agents in the Twin Cities:
      1. Turn over all noncitizens currently incarcerated in state prisons/jails.
      2. Turn over all noncitizens arrested by local police.
      3. Assist federal authorities in apprehending and detaining noncitizens wanted for crimes.
    • Sanctuary city policies in Minneapolis and some counties largely bar such cooperation; the only potentially acceptable ask is turning over noncitizens with active federal arrest warrants.

  • Local and state responses:

    • Gov. Tim Walz wrote the state honors immigration detainers in the Department of Corrections but city/county jails are the sticking point.
    • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (transcript: Jacob Fry) said Minneapolis “does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws” and criticized the impact of the federal operation.
    • Homan called initial meetings “a productive starting point” and indicated more talks are planned.

  • Political fallout:

    • Calls from Democrats to remove DHS Secretary Kristi Noem intensified; some Republicans also urged resignation.
    • DHS defended its role, saying enforcement follows laws Congress passes; President Trump publicly backed Noem.

  • Tactical note:

    • Protest tactics against ICE included whistles, spotters, and coordinated rapid responses; the administration and local officials framed the groups as organized agitators.

Who’s funding anti‑ICE activist networks — allegations and investigations

  • Main reporting:

    • Fox News Digital and other outlets highlighted a web of leftist nonprofit organizations allegedly tied to American‑born billionaire Neville Roy Singham (described as a Marxist‑Leninist living in Shanghai) as key funders or incubators behind coordinated resistance campaigns.
    • Singham is connected to the People's Forum, Breakthrough News, and other groups. The New York Times previously reported on a broader influence network with links to Chinese state‑aligned media; Singham has denied taking orders from any government.

  • Claims and responses:

    • Critics and some lawmakers portray Singham’s funding as supporting authoritarian or anti‑American narratives and potentially amplifying violent rhetoric.
    • The House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Singham probing possible Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) violations.
    • Singham has not publicly commented on the subpoena; his residence in Shanghai could complicate enforcement.

  • Analysts’ view:

    • Experts quoted argue the network funds activism and media infrastructure that may push a specific ideology and destabilize U.S. politics; supporters of the groups dispute that characterization.

President Trump kicks off the 2026 midterm campaign in Iowa

  • Event highlights:

    • Trump spoke in Iowa to formally launch the 2026 midterm cycle, emphasizing crime reductions tied to federal enforcement actions and touting economic/energy achievements.
    • He framed the stakes as high, warning Democrats would bring radical policies if they win.

  • Election math and context:

    • All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are on the ballot (election day: November 3).
    • Current House split: Republicans 218, Democrats 213 (four vacancies). Republicans can only afford a small net loss to retain control.
    • Nonpartisan 270toWin ratings showed many competitive/toss‑up races; forecasts at time of broadcast gave Republicans a modest Senate edge but competitive environment overall.

  • Policy priorities flagged by Trump:

    • Executive action to limit large institutional investors from buying single‑family homes.
    • Proposals to change health‑care subsidy flows (criticizing Obamacare) and touting lower mortgage rates and housing metrics.

ICE/HSI personnel and the Winter Olympics — Italy reacts

  • Situation:

    • AFP reported ICE agents (specifically Homeland Security Investigations/HSI units) would support U.S. security operations at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
    • Italian officials, including Milan’s mayor and former PM Giuseppe Conte, objected strongly, citing concerns about ICE’s reputation and approach.

  • U.S. response and clarifications:

    • DHS clarified ICE does not conduct immigration enforcement abroad; HSI investigators would assist the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and the host nation by vetting risks to U.S. athletes and officials.
    • Former acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf explained HSI’s investigative, vetting and threat‑mitigation role for overseas events.

  • Logistics:

    • The U.S. will send a large delegation and a record 232 athletes; opening ceremony Feb 6, games end Feb 22.

Notable quotes and soundbites

  • Tom Homan: “While we don't agree on everything, these meetings were a productive starting point… I look forward to more conversations.”
  • Gov. Walz (podcast paraphrase): federal operation is “unorganized, untrained, dangerous” and the issue is policy, not just personnel changes.
  • President Trump (Iowa): “If they win, that group, that ideology wins, you will be Venezuela on steroids.”
  • Critics of funders: Neville Singham described as “funding and exporting an authoritarian aligned ideology” (analysis cited in the report).

Key takeaways

  • The Minnesota confrontation highlights the deep divide between federal immigration enforcement priorities and sanctuary jurisdictions; short‑term negotiations can focus on limited cooperation (active warrants) but broader policy clashes remain unresolved.
  • Reporting and congressional scrutiny are increasingly targeting foreign‑linked funding networks that underwrite activism and media — investigations (including FARA subpoenas) may follow but face jurisdictional and evidentiary challenges.
  • The 2026 midterms are already being cast as existential by both parties, with the administration using enforcement results and economic messaging to rally voters.
  • International deployment of U.S. law‑enforcement investigators (HSI) to high‑profile events can spark diplomatic friction even when the mission is vetting and threat mitigation rather than immigration enforcement.

Suggested monitoring (what to watch next)

  • Outcomes of follow‑up meetings between Tom Homan, Gov. Walz and Minneapolis officials — any concrete changes to local cooperation.
  • Oversight Committee actions and any FARA findings regarding Neville Roy Singham and affiliated nonprofits.
  • How protests and federal operations in Minneapolis evolve (escalation, de‑escalation, legal challenges).
  • Reactions from Italy and the State Department final posture regarding HSI support at the Olympics.