Protesters Besiege Walz’s St. Paul Mansion, Branding Governor a ‘Traitor’ for Homan Talks
SAINT PAUL, MN – Tensions have erupted outside the Governor’s Residence on Summit Avenue as left-wing demonstrators gathered to denounce Governor Tim Walz, labeling him a “traitor” for his recent cooperation with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement officials. The protests come in the wake of a high-stakes meeting between Walz and “Border Czar” Tom Homan regarding the controversial federal crackdown known as “Operation Metro Surge.”
Deep Search: The Crisis in Minnesota
The unrest stems from the ongoing federal immigration enforcement campaign designated “Operation Metro Surge,” which has seen thousands of federal agents deployed to the Twin Cities. The operation has become a flashpoint following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, by federal agents during enforcement actions.
While Governor Walz publicly demanded a reduction in federal forces and an end to what he termed a “campaign of retribution” against Minnesota, his administration recently engaged in direct talks with Tom Homan. Following their meeting on January 27, officials announced a partial withdrawal of 700 agents. However, approximately 2,000 federal officers remain in the state. Homan subsequently praised the “unprecedented cooperation” from local authorities in stabilizing the situation, a statement that has inflamed progressive activists who view any coordination with the Trump White House as complicity.
Objections: ‘No Negotiation with Occupation’
Demonstrators outside the Eastcliff mansion argue that Governor Walz has capitulated to President Trump’s agenda rather than resisting it. Organizers on the ground have voiced fury over the continued presence of federal agents and the Governor’s decision to maintain a “collaborative tone” with Homan.
“We are not here to ask for a partial withdrawal; we are here to demand Walz stop collaborating with the forces occupying our city,” one protest leader stated. The crowd has chanted slogans accusing the Governor of betrayal, specifically citing the deployment of local Sheriff’s deputies to police protests outside federal facilities as evidence that the state government is aiding the federal crackdown. The primary grievance is that by negotiating with Homan, Walz has legitimized an operation that has resulted in civilian casualties, rather than expelling the federal presence entirely as demanded by his base.
Background: The Homan-Walz Dynamic
Tom Homan, appointed by President Trump to oversee border and immigration enforcement, was dispatched to Minnesota to quell the escalating civil unrest. The Trump administration has characterized the surge as a necessary measure to restore order and enforce immigration laws, while critics describe it as an authoritarian overreach. Governor Walz, a Democrat, has attempted to walk a fine line—condemning the violence and “bad optics” of the federal surge while agreeing to dialogue to secure a de-escalation. However, for the protesters currently surrounding his residence, this pragmatic approach is seen as an unforgivable breach of trust.
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