The Journal. — "Are We at a Turning Point in Minneapolis?"

Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

Date: January 26, 2026
Hosts: Jessica Mendoza, Ryan Knutson
Guests: Joe Barrett (WSJ Reporter, Minneapolis), Michelle Hackman (WSJ Immigration Policy Reporter)

Overview

This episode examines a mounting crisis in Minneapolis following a second deadly shooting by federal immigration authorities—part of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown known as Operation Metro Surge. With growing unrest, the episode dives into the on-the-ground response, political repercussions, and whether this incident marks a pivotal moment for federal immigration enforcement tactics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Shooting of Alex Preddy & Community Fallout

• Incident Recap

  • Early Saturday morning, Alex Preddy, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was killed by federal immigration agents during a confrontation with protesters ([00:17]).
  • The event follows another fatal shooting by immigration authorities just weeks prior ([00:40]).

• Conflicting Narratives

  • Federal officials blamed Preddy, labeling him a "domestic terrorist" (Stephen Miller, Trump advisor).
  • Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security:

    "I don't know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign." ([01:01])

  • WSJ-reviewed video footage suggests an agent pulled a gun away from Preddy, yet he was shot less than a second later ([01:16]).

• Atmosphere in Minneapolis

  • Protests and a "general strike" shuttered hundreds of businesses.
    Joe Barrett:

    "There was a huge protest on Friday. Thousands of people peacefully going down the streets to protest ICE's involvement." ([04:16])

  • Emotional scene at Preddy’s memorial included flowers, music, and mourners.
    Joe Barrett:

    "Just sadness and anger. ... It just doesn't take long for them to get to a real sense of hopelessness and sadness ..." ([06:03])

Legal and Political Tension

• State vs. Federal Authority

  • Minnesota state investigators were initially blocked from investigating the scene by federal officials ([06:23]).
  • A judge ruled federal authorities cannot destroy or alter evidence ([06:49]).
  • Joe Barrett:

    "The cooperation is still just not happening. ... Very difficult when they don't have access to the evidence like body cam footage ..." ([06:49])

• Protesters’ Determination Amidst Escalation

  • Incidents of protesters being followed, detained, and physically assaulted by ICE agents are on the rise ([09:43]). Joe Barrett:

    "They're more determined than ever at this point, even though it's clear what the consequence can be when they cross ICE in the wrong way." ([09:43])

  • Matthew Steggeman, protester:

    "We are here because we have to be, and we are here for anybody else in the country who's going to face this next." ([09:05])

  • Charlie Sellers, resident:

    "That aggression went to another level when our neighbors started getting murdered." ([09:12])

National and Local Backlash

• Political Leaders Respond
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz:

    "President Trump, you can end this today. Pull these folks back. Do humane, focused, effective immigration control." ([10:55])

  • Senator Amy Klobuchar ([11:15]):

    "ICE is making us not more safe. They're making us less safe, and they need to get out of our state."

Operation Metro Surge: The Larger Federal Strategy

• Trump's Mass Deportation Pledge

  • Crackdowns have particularly targeted sanctuary cities, especially after a high-profile welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota's Somali community ([13:18]). Michelle Hackman:

    "They thought it would be a great opportunity to go sort of take on the liberals in Minnesota and send a huge deployment of people." ([13:18])

• Disproportionate Deployment

  • Minneapolis (pop. ~450,000) received around 3,000 federal agents, compared with 300–600 agents for larger cities like Chicago (pop. ~2.5 million) ([14:31]). Michelle Hackman:

    "You can imagine... it’s just so much larger proportionally that what you’re getting is sort of like close quarters ... All these agents all over the city running up against immigrants, but also protesters ..." ([14:31])

• ICE’s Quotas and Tactics

  • Agents are under pressure to make 3,000 arrests per day ([16:02]). Michelle Hackman:

    "People’s job performance is held up against these quotas ... even if ... they find out ... [arrestees] have legal status ... it still counts as an arrest." ([16:02])

  • New, more aggressive and militarized tactics have emerged, including racial profiling and warrantless home entry under expanded legal interpretations ([17:09], [18:13]):
    • Smashing windows to arrest suspects in cars
    • Profiling using factors like language or appearance
    • Breaking into homes without warrants under certain conditions ([18:13])

Fraying Political & Institutional Support

• Cracks Among Trump Allies

  • Some prominent Republicans, including Senator Pete Ricketts (NE) and Bill Cassidy (LA), are demanding transparent inquiry into the Preddy shooting ([19:23]).
    • Bill Cassidy (via X):

      "The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake." ([19:46])

  • Inside DHS, agents are expressing frustration with leadership decisions, particularly regarding the controversial Border Patrol commander, Greg Bevino ([20:13]).

• Shift in Leadership

  • Greg Bevino’s pending removal and the appointment of Tom Homan (noted for a more "methodical" approach) signal possible tactical recalibration ([22:02]). Michelle Hackman:

    "Bringing [Homan] in ... suggests that Trump wants to really change tactics there and pull back." ([22:02])

The Administration’s Choice: Double Down or Pull Back?

• Balancing Political Base & Broader Public Opinion

  • The White House is searching for an "off ramp" to reduce tension without alienating core supporters ([23:41]). Michelle Hackman:

    "Any kind of retreat on what they're doing in Minneapolis will come as a severe disappointment to those people." ([23:41])

• Potential Turning Point

  • While the events in Minneapolis may not mark a complete turning point, they represent a possible shift in enforcement tactics as mass deportation remains a central policy pledge ([24:19]). Michelle Hackman:

    "...It could signal a shift in tactics and how they try to get there." ([24:19])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary ([01:01]):

  "I don't know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign."

• Matthew Steggeman, protester ([09:05]):

  "We are here because we have to be, and we are here for anybody else in the country who's going to face this next."

• Charlie Sellers, Minneapolis resident ([09:12]):

  "That aggression went to another level when our neighbors started getting murdered."

• Senator Amy Klobuchar ([11:15]):

  "ICE is making us not more safe. They're making us less safe, and they need to get out of our state."

• Michelle Hackman, on ICE tactics ([18:13]):

  "ICE sort of secretly came up with a new legal justification to force entry into people's homes without a warrant ..."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:17–01:45: Recap of the shooting & conflicting narratives
• 04:07–06:23: On-the-ground reports: protests, grief, and community response
• 06:49–07:53: Legal tension—state vs. federal standoff at crime scene
• 09:05–09:43: Protesters’ perspectives & rising determination
• 10:55–11:25: State political leaders call for removal of ICE
• 13:18–15:55: Background: Why Minneapolis, federal overreach & “Operation Metro Surge”
• 16:02–18:13: ICE quotas and aggressive new arrest tactics
• 19:23–22:02: GOP fractures, leadership shuffle inside federal enforcement
• 23:41–24:19: The administration’s dilemma: tactical retreat or escalation

Summary

This episode offers a vivid, nuanced look at the aftermath of a deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis that has triggered mounting protests, political demands for federal withdrawal, and internal debate within the Trump administration. Tensions are at a crisis point as the city becomes a focal battleground in the national debate over immigration enforcement—a moment that may herald new strategies, increased scrutiny, and political uncertainty about the future of Operation Metro Surge and immigration policy at large.