Trump Reacts to Unflattering Polls
Despite the recent departure of Commander Bovino, Minnesota continues to contend with an oversized contingent of ICE agents moving through our streets and confronting residents. Community watch groups and mutual aid efforts have not slowed, and it remains unclear how long Minnesotans will be forced to live in this state of heightened vigilance.
Democrats must ensure that this moment carries political consequences in the midterm elections this November and in the presidential election in 2028. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti cannot be allowed to fade from public memory. Nor can we accept the high costs being borne by families and children without demanding meaningful changes to immigration policy and the tactics used to enforce it. The most direct way to achieve that change is through the election of new leaders and the removal of the party currently in power.
A recent YouGov poll finds that a substantial portion of Americans view the federal government’s actions in Minneapolis critically in the wake of the shooting of Alex Pretti, with roughly half saying the incident was unjustified. Among respondents who had seen a video of the shooting, about two-thirds felt it was unjustified — evidence that public opinion is shifting on federal immigration enforcement tactics.
While significant differences remain between how Democrats and Republicans view agencies like ICE, the current controversy has created an opening for Democratic messaging. Now is a moment for Democrats to reassess how they engage independent voters and moderate Republicans who may be persuadable on this topic.
If Democrats want to expand their coalition, they might consider refining their approach. Appeals based solely on broad moral frameworks, such as assertions about diversity or human rights, often have limited impact on voters whose primary concerns center on order, safety, and lawful immigration. Likewise, dismissive language toward opponents, such as portraying all supporters of ICE as irredeemable fascists, tends to alienate people who are undecided or uneasy with recent federal tactics.
Shaming or condescension rarely convinces voters to switch sides. Instead, Democrats could focus on arguments that resonate with traditional conservative values, such as the rule of law, local control, and accountability in government. Many Republicans are fundamentally skeptical of federal overreach, and framing critiques of ICE around principled governance and civil liberties may appeal to those concerns.
Republicans who have expressed reservations about how immigration enforcement is being carried out are not fringe voices; they reflect a constituency that values strong borders but also expects restraint and accountability from the government. By emphasizing common ground on transparency and oversight, Democrats have an opportunity to attract voters disenchanted with the status quo.
Reasons for Republicans to Care About Minnesota
Small businesses are hurting—and some may not survive.
Many people of color, regardless of immigration status, are staying home out of fear. They are not going to work, shop, or otherwise support businesses in the city. The result is a significant drop in economic activity and tax revenue. Northstar Policy Action estimates losses of roughly $80 million per week. If you support small businesses, you should be concerned about the chilling effect of ICE activity.Missed rent payments will ripple through the economy.
As workers lose income, many businesses and residents will struggle to pay rent. The Minneapolis City Council is asking the Governor to institute an eviction moratorium to prevent a wave of displacement. When rent goes unpaid, landlords—including Republican landlords—are directly affected, and the broader housing market becomes less stable.States’ rights and limited government are being undermined.
Minnesota is being asked to provide voter rolls and other sensitive personal data, often in ways that conflict with state law. Local roads and neighborhoods are being commandeered for federal operations. For those who believe in limited government and states’ rights, this level of federal overreach should be alarming.Second Amendment rights are at risk.
Alex Pretti had the legal right to carry a firearm. Using the mere presence of a legally owned weapon to justify a shooting sets a dangerous precedent and threatens core Second Amendment protections.Fourth Amendment protections are being eroded.
Unreasonable searches of homes, businesses, and individuals are being reported. ICE has stated it does not always require a warrant signed by a judge. Normalizing these practices creates a precedent that could be used far beyond immigration enforcement.This is wasteful government spending.
Minnesota is spending an estimated $3 million per week on law enforcement overtime. Housing thousands of ICE agents in local hotels is costing the federal government approximately $4.5 million per week. Massive increases in immigration enforcement budgets mean more sole-sourced contracts, minimal oversight, and a higher likelihood of cronyism.
This spending adds to the federal deficit while failing to generate the lasting economic benefits associated with investments in education, health care, and infrastructure.
Education is being disrupted.
Schools across the Twin Cities are offering remote learning because many students are afraid to attend in person. This morning on social media, I saw a picture of children walking through tear gas to school. These children are worried about themselves, their families, and friends who may be at risk of being picked up by ICE agents, often through misidentification. Frequent disruptions and constant stress make it harder for students to learn, likely leading to lower test scores and long-term educational harm. Anyone who values educational outcomes should be concerned.Republicans are losing political ground.
Polling suggests ICE tactics are broadly unpopular, even among voters who support immigration enforcement. These dynamics risk turning upcoming elections into landslide losses and have already made statewide Republican victories in Minnesota increasingly difficult. Heavy-handed tactics are widely seen as having gone too far.Law enforcement’s reputation is being damaged.
The fallout from aggressive federal actions is often left to local police to manage. Trust between law enforcement and the public suffers when local officers are deployed to manage protests sparked by federal tactics. Rebuilding that trust will be difficult and long-lasting.
Conclusion
History is unlikely to judge the federal agents and political leaders involved in the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti kindly. Still, relying on these tragedies to build support for the Democratic Party is risky. Organized conservative media and influencers are highly effective at framing narratives. By circulating graphic clips of confrontations between protesters and law enforcement, they can reinforce entrenched views and, at times, sway undecided voters.
Democrats must instead keep the focus on how damaging the current approach to immigration enforcement is to the lives of every resident in Minnesota. The consequences for Minnesota’s reputation and our way of life will be felt across the state long after the online influencers, whistles, and bullhorns go silent.
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