Senior Trump administration officials and Fox News hosts sharply criticized Minnesota’s Democratic leadership during a Fox News segment addressing violent protests, alleged interference with federal immigration enforcement, and an ongoing Department of Justice investigation tied to recent unrest in Minneapolis.
During the discussion, Tricia McLaughlin condemned what she described as the left’s reaction to the protests and the treatment of worshipers whose First Amendment rights were violated.
“This is outright hysteria we are seeing from the left, and this should be the easiest thing in the world for Tim Walz and Mayor Frey to condemn. This shouldn’t be a Republican or Democrat issue. These are worshipers who are practicing their First Amendment rights to worship, and yet those rights were trampled on by these protesters who trespassed and began intimidating these Christians worshiping,” McLaughlin said.
She added, “So I’m glad to see the Department of Justice is taking this incredibly seriously, and I hope we see mug shot soon.”
Dana Perino introduced video of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, noting, “Mayor Frey talked about protesters overall. He was on CNN on Sunday, watch.”
In the clip, Frey defended demonstrators and rejected claims of disorder.
“Invaded, under siege, occupied. You know, use whatever word or superlative that you want to attach. But the bottom line is, what is taking place is designed to intimidate. It is not fair, it’s not just, and it’s completely unconstitutional. They’re peacefully protesting. They’re standing up for one another,” Frey said.
He continued, “And you know, like I said, it’s not just going to be resistance here in this city. We’re not backing down. We’re not going to be intimidated.”
Perino followed up by asking about scrutiny facing the mayor. “In addition to that, there’s an investigation now into Mayor Frey. Can you tell us more?” she asked.
McLaughlin declined to discuss details but forcefully disputed Frey’s claims.
“I’m going to leave that to the Department of Justice. But so much of what Mayor Frey said there is abjectly, completely false,” she said.
McLaughlin contrasted Minnesota with states that cooperate with federal authorities.
“I mean, let’s compare what we see and places like Florida or Tennessee, where we have state and local governments work with us. Out of Florida, we’ve had 40,000 arrests, we see public safety, we see peace, we see calm, just to oppose that to what we see out of Minnesota, where we’ve had a little over 10,000 arrests, and we see riots.”
She detailed the violence directed at law enforcement. “We see our law enforcement officers are being pummeled with rocks. Over the weekend. There were fireworks that were launched at them. They’re being spit on, rampant assaults against them, and so this is not peaceful protests that we have been seeing,” McLaughlin said.
She added that state leaders must act.
“Mayor Frey should be condemning this. Tim Walz, they have to get their city and their state under control.”
Bill Hemmer then introduced comments from Border Czar Tom Homan, saying, “So Tom Homan has been outspoken. I know what you’re about to hear is not going to surprise you, but it sets us up for a particular question after this, watch here.”
In the clip, Homan blamed rhetoric from elected officials.
“Rhetoric when the mayor and the governor emboldens that small percentage who go beyond protesting to criminal activity. They feel empowered to interfere, impede the ICE officers. Put their hands on ICE officers. Throw weapons, ya know, throw stones and frozen water bottles at ICE officers,” Homan said.
Hemmer pressed McLaughlin on cooperation from Minnesota lawmakers.
“Did you specifically ask the lawmakers in Minnesota cooperate with you when it comes to access with the jails? And if so, when did that happen? What did they say? And were you ever granted access to the jails who you believe hold criminal illegal immigrants today?” he asked.
McLaughlin responded that federal detainers have repeatedly been ignored.
“Time and time again? I mean, we’re talking about throughout the year bill that our ICE officers have lodged detainers. Those detainers have not been honored,” she said. She cited numbers in custody. “But if you look at who is in those jails currently sitting in those jails, Bill, 1,370 criminal illegal aliens in Minneapolis custody, murderers, rapists, child pedophiles.”
She added, “Those people should serve their time, and then they should be turned over to ICE. We have not seen that. We’ve seen no cooperation.”
The discussion also addressed calls from Democrats to dismantle ICE. Perino introduced comments from Senator Ruben Gallego, saying, “Here’s Ruben Gallego. He thinks it should be scrapped.”
In the clip, Gallego said, “I think ICE needs to be totally torn down. It has to be, you know, created in the image of what people want, right? … and not the goon squad that has come from Stephen Miller and Donald Trump.”
Perino questioned the rhetoric, saying it did not sound like a path toward solving the problem.
She asked McLaughlin for a final response.
“Well, how deeply unserious during a serious moment for our country,” McLaughlin said.
“The facts on the ground Dana is that seven. 80% of those who have been arrested under the Trump administration, seven zero either have prior criminal convictions or pending criminal charges against them.” She continued, “That does not even include known or suspected terrorists, of which we’ve arrested over 1000.”
McLaughlin concluded that critics should “be thanking our ICE and CBP law enforcement for the great work that they’ve done.”
Hemmer noted the number in Minneapolis custody. “1,370. I have not heard that number until today,” he said, before asking how many other states refuse to cooperate.
McLaughlin replied that noncooperation extends to cities and jurisdictions and pointed to what she called a simple alternative.
“There’s a very easy solution here, self deport,” she said.
“Take the $1,000 exit bonus, free flight home and potentially preserve the opportunity to return the right way.”
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