Fox News host Griff Jenkins delivered a blunt message to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday, making clear that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are operating in the city to detain illegal immigrant criminals, despite loud objections from local Democratic leadership. The tense exchange unfolded on “Fox & Friends” following Frey’s public demand that ICE “get the fuck out” of Minneapolis in the wake of the fatal shooting of Renee Good during an enforcement operation.
The confrontation centered on the broader surge in ICE activity taking place across the country, as federal authorities work to arrest illegal immigrants who entered the United States during former President Joe Biden’s administration. Jenkins argued that the increased presence of ICE is a direct response to years of lax border enforcement, which he said resulted in unprecedented numbers of illegal migrants crossing into the country, many of whom later turned out to be criminals.
Addressing Frey directly, Jenkins said ICE would likely prefer not to be conducting large-scale surge operations but has been forced into action because of the scale of illegal immigration over the past four years. He stated that federal agents are now focused on tracking down and apprehending criminal illegal aliens who, according to Jenkins, were allowed to roam freely due to local policies that refuse to cooperate with federal detainers.
Jenkins emphasized that recent arrests have included individuals accused of serious crimes, ranging from murder to sexual assault of minors. He argued that Minneapolis’ refusal to cooperate with ICE has contributed to the problem, making it necessary for federal agents to step in and remove dangerous individuals from the streets.
Frey pushed back, insisting that Minneapolis and Minnesota are committed to public safety and opposing violent crime. He claimed the state has worked with both past and present administrations to reduce crime and questioned why what he described as the largest immigration enforcement action on record would take place in an area he said does not have a large undocumented population. Frey argued that states such as Texas, Florida, or Utah would make more sense as focal points for such operations because they have higher numbers of undocumented immigrants.
Jenkins countered by pointing out that widespread protests have not erupted in states like Louisiana, Texas, and Florida because those states cooperate with federal law enforcement. Frey maintained that protests in Minneapolis have remained peaceful.
The dispute comes after footage emerged showing the moments leading up to Good’s death. According to reports, Good blocked ICE agents from driving in the lane of the road, prompting one officer to exit his vehicle and record her license plate. When additional agents arrived and ordered her to exit the car, Good reportedly started the vehicle, backed up slightly, and then accelerated forward as her wife, Rebecca, urged her to drive.
An ICE officer fatally shot Good as she drove away, triggering outrage from Frey and other Democrats who claimed the shooting was unjustified. The Trump administration, however, defended the officer’s actions, maintaining that he acted in self-defense. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on Jan. 7 that the officer was the victim of a vehicle attack that occurred in June.
The clash highlights the deep divide between Democratic city leaders and federal immigration authorities, as debates over enforcement, cooperation, and public safety continue to play out on the national stage.
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