According to Walz, the decision to deploy the Guard was made last week: units were placed on standby for rapid response to potential deteriorations in the situation. The deployment is occurring in cooperation with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies.
The primary task for the National Guard is to ensure the safety of a federal facility - the Whipple building in Minneapolis. This, according to the governor, will allow local law enforcement to focus on maintaining order on the streets of the city.
Walz harshly criticized the actions of federal agents who arrived in Minneapolis to carry out immigration operations. He noted that he had seen footage of the incident that resulted in the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a nurse at the veterans' hospital, and called the Department of Homeland Security's claim that he allegedly posed armed resistance "absurd."
According to the governor, the actions of federal forces "led to tragedy, created chaos, and used gas against peaceful protesters, after which they left the scene," leaving state and local authorities to deal with the aftermath. Walz emphasized that authorities are striving to ensure the possibility of peaceful demonstrations and protect citizens' rights guaranteed by the First Amendment while avoiding escalation of violence.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also spoke out, stating that the mass presence of federal immigration agents decreases safety in the city, and called on U.S. President Donald Trump to halt their further deployment. In response, Trump accused local authorities of inciting unrest, claiming that federal forces are acting for safety.
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen also criticized Walz and Frey, accusing them of supporting lawbreakers. In connection with the events, Minnesota authorities filed a lawsuit against several federal agencies demanding to prevent the destruction of evidence in the shooting case. The investigation into Alex Pretti's death is ongoing.
It is worth noting that on January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, during an immigration control operation, an ICE officer shot 37-year-old Rene Nicole Good. Federal authorities claimed that the woman attempted to run over the officer with her vehicle; however, this claim is disputed by witnesses and local authorities.
