Washington, Jan 27 (NationPress) The White House stood firm in its support of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota and dismissed criticisms regarding its handling of a tragic shooting incident in Minneapolis over the weekend. President Donald Trump instructed senior officials to urge cooperation from state and local leaders with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

During a routine briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump was vigilantly monitoring the situation following the shooting of an ICE agent on Saturday. Furthermore, he had sanctioned federal emergency disaster declarations for several states affected by a harsh winter storm, while simultaneously working to restore “law and order” in Minnesota.

Leavitt mentioned that the administration was examining every detail of the Minneapolis incident, with investigations being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI, alongside an internal review by Customs and Border Protection. She emphasized that the president aimed to allow the investigation to unfold and let the facts guide the process.

Leavitt criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for “actively defying federal immigration law” by obstructing cooperation with ICE, asserting that these actions had created “dangerous situations” for federal officers. She pointed out that President Trump had communicated with Governor Walz earlier that day, outlining “a clear and simple path to restoring law and order in Minnesota.”

According to Leavitt, the president's requests included the transfer of all undocumented immigrants currently held in state prisons to federal authorities, deporting individuals with active warrants or criminal backgrounds immediately, and ensuring collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement. She noted that ICE's presence would not need to increase if state and local officials enacted these measures.

Leavitt refuted claims that the administration had hastily drawn conclusions about the shooting, asserting that the president desired the investigation to proceed thoroughly. She expressed that President Trump “believes what transpired on Saturday is a tragedy,” adding that “every life is equal” and that he grieved the loss involved.

In response to comments from Democratic officials, Leavitt condemned the rhetoric likening ICE agents to “Nazi Gestapo” as “despicable,” indicating that such remarks had exacerbated tensions. She emphasized that federal agents were “simply performing their duties to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and pursue the worst offenders in this country.”

The White House also confirmed that Tom Homan, the border czar, was en route to Minneapolis at the president’s request. Leavitt indicated that Homan would be the administration’s liaison to work with state and local authorities to “subdue the chaos on the streets of Minneapolis,” highlighting his extensive experience in law enforcement.

Leavitt stated that President Trump retained “full confidence” in Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and dismissed notions that Homan's deployment indicated dissatisfaction with her leadership. She added that the president had instructed Homan to prioritize his travel to Minnesota to continue existing discussions with local officials.

On broader immigration matters, Leavitt indicated that the president was still advocating for Congress to pass legislation that would abolish sanctuary city policies, asserting that “American cities should serve as secure sanctuaries for law-abiding citizens, not for dangerous illegal alien criminals.” She referenced polling that showed robust public support for the deportation of violent offenders and affirmed the administration’s commitment to fulfilling his pledge to deport violent criminal illegal aliens and enhance safety across America.