Wednesday, January 28, 2026-President Donald Trump convened a nearly two‑hour meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and senior aides in the Oval Office as his administration grappled with mounting national backlash over federal law enforcement actions in Minneapolis, where two U.S. citizens were fatally shot amid immigration enforcement operations.
The session came at Noem’s request and reflected deep internal concern about how the events and the administration’s initial public response have intensified criticism from across the political spectrum. Trump did not indicate that Noem or her top aide’s jobs were in jeopardy during the talks.
The meeting underscored efforts by the White House to recalibrate its strategy after video evidence and public protest challenged earlier characterizations of the incidents by Noem and other officials. Trump subsequently dispatched border enforcement veteran Tom Homan to oversee operations in Minnesota, a move seen by some as signaling a shift toward more seasoned leadership on the ground.
Meanwhile, Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino, whose aggressive tactics drew sharp criticism, was reportedly reassigned from Minneapolis as the administration seeks to ease tensions.
The broader political fallout from the Minneapolis shootings has been intense. Democratic lawmakers have called for investigations and even moves to impeach Noem, while local leaders demand impartial reviews into the deaths of civilians during the federal operation. Amid protests and bipartisan scrutiny, Trump has stressed the need for law and order while defending his immigration agenda but the episode highlights persistent divisions over how the federal government enforces immigration policy and manages its most controversial deployments.
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