Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz raised alarm about what he described [1] as escalating violence in his state during an interview conducted Thursday with The Atlantic, prompting a response from President Donald Trump during remarks at the White House on Friday.
In the interview, conducted in Walz’s office at the Minnesota State Capitol, the governor suggested that current tensions involving federal immigration enforcement could lead to a broader national crisis. Walz referenced historical events from the Civil War era while discussing the situation.
“I mean, is this a Fort Sumter?” Walz said during the interview.
Fort Sumter, located near Charleston, South Carolina, was the site where Confederate forces fired the first shots of the Civil War in 1861.
Walz continued by characterizing federal law enforcement actions as violent.
“It’s a physical assault,” Walz said.
“It’s an armed force that’s assaulting, that’s killing my constituents, my citizens.”
After making the comparison, Walz did not further elaborate on the reference to Fort Sumter during the interview.
The governor also raised concerns related to federal election oversight and immigration enforcement.
Walz is not on the ballot in the upcoming November election, but he suggested the election is central to what he described as the administration’s broader strategy.
He cited a request by the Justice Department for Minnesota’s voter rolls as evidence supporting his claim.
Walz predicted that the president’s party would be “wiped out” in a free and fair election, adding a caveat.
“But I hear Americans on this,” Walz said.
“What they say is, ‘What makes you think we can get to November?’”
The interview followed earlier communications between Walz and federal officials, including President Trump and Border Czar Tom Homan, according to reporting on the timing of the remarks.
Reporters asked President Trump about Walz’s comments while he was speaking at the White House on Friday.
Trump responded directly to the governor’s Civil War comparison.
“Wow. Does he know what Fort Sumter was?” Trump asked.
“Or do you think somebody wrote it out for him?”
Trump went on to explain his position regarding immigration enforcement and public safety, stating that his administration’s actions align with the platform on which he was elected.
He said he was elected on law and order and indicated that the administration’s enforcement efforts reflect that priority.
Walz’s remarks drew attention due to their historical framing and the language used to describe federal authorities.
In addition to referencing Fort Sumter, Walz also mentioned other historical figures and events from the same era during the interview, including John Brown and Harpers Ferry, though he did not provide extended comparisons.
The comments came amid ongoing disputes between Minnesota state leadership and federal authorities over immigration enforcement and cooperation with ICE operations.
Walz has previously criticized federal immigration policies and enforcement actions, while the Trump administration has emphasized cooperation from state and local governments.
Federal officials have not announced any changes to enforcement policy in response to Walz’s statements.
The White House has maintained that federal agencies will continue carrying out their duties under existing law.
It remains unclear whether additional formal action will be taken following the governor’s remarks.
Walz’s office has not issued further clarification regarding the comments made in the interview, and the White House has not announced any new measures related specifically to Minnesota.
The exchange added to an already tense political climate as debates over immigration enforcement, public safety, and election integrity continue at both the state and federal levels.