President Donald Trump threatened Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on social media after the mayor reaffirmed the city’s sanctuary policies and refusal to enforce federal immigration laws following a fatal shooting by immigration officers.
BREAKING: Trump warns Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is 'playing with fire' as city refuses to enforce federal immigration laws pic.twitter.com/4pNzreHEMI
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 28, 2026
President Donald Trump issued an all-caps threat Wednesday against Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey after the Democratic mayor refused demands to abandon the city’s sanctuary policies. The confrontation followed the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by immigration officers, which prompted Trump to dispatch border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis.
Frey stated Tuesday that “Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws,” maintaining the city would focus on local safety despite meeting with Homan. The mayor emphasized the operation’s negative impacts on surrounding communities and strain on local police officers, rejecting administration pressure to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Trump responded on Truth Social, claiming Frey’s statement constituted “a very serious violation of the Law” and warning he is “PLAYING WITH FIRE!” The threat came despite what the president characterized as a productive conversation with the mayor. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials have urged local cooperation with ICE in exchange for federal agent withdrawal from the area.