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By Peter Aitken
Politics Weekend Editor
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Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina continued to level criticism against some Trump administration officials following the violence in Minnesota over the past few weeks, which saw two Americans killed by federal agents.
Why It Matters
Border czar Tom Homan took the lead in Minnesota to try to ease tensions, and on Thursday, he announced that the administration would work out a drawdown plan to significantly reduce the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the state. Homan acknowledged flaws in the operation, pledged “by the book” changes, and emphasized cooperation with state and local leaders while maintaining that immigration enforcement must continue.
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Homan’s agreement with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to enable county jails to notify ICE about the release of certain public-safety risks signaled a shift toward more targeted arrests and a drawdown of federal agents, a central demand of state Democratic leaders after weeks of unrest.
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What To Know
Tillis drew attention this week as he and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska called for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to step down from her role after federal agents in Minneapolis fatally shot U.S. citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti this month.
Tillis posted video of Homan's Thursday morning press conference on X, writing: "This is what competent leadership looks like. Noem and Miller, take notes," referring also to United States Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller.
President Donald Trump had called Tillis and Murkowski "losers" for their criticism of Noem, telling ABC News on Wednesday: “They’re terrible senators. One is gone and the other should be gone,” referring to Tillis's decision not to seek reelection.
Responding to Trump’s remark, Tillis said, “I am thrilled about that. That makes me qualified to be Homeland Security secretary AND senior adviser to the president,” and accused Noem and Miller of “incompetence” amid the Minneapolis strife.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier this week: "I just had a very good telephone conversation with Mayor Jacob Frey, of Minneapolis. Lots of progress is being made! Tom Homan will be meeting with him tomorrow in order to continue the discussion. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP"
Senator Thom Tillis said earlier this week: “Stephen Miller never fails to live up to my expectations of incompetence," and separately, about Noem: "I think what she's done in Minnesota should be disqualifying. She should be out of a job. It's just amateurish."
Rapid Response 47 posted on X on Monday: ".@PressSec: "@Sec_Noem still has the utmost confidence and trust of @POTUS, and she's continuing to oversee the entire @DHSgov... Border Czar [Tom] Homan is in a unique position to drop everything and go to Minnesota to continue having these productive conversations with state and local officials."
Update 1/29/26, 1:13 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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