President Trump has dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota following two deadly immigration enforcement shootings this month, effectively sidelining Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid growing tensions within the administration.

Administration Split Over Enforcement Strategy

The deployment exposes deep divisions within Trump’s immigration team. Homan and ICE Director Todd Lyons favor targeting illegal immigrants with deportation orders and criminal histories. Noem and her advisers push for broader operations targeting all undocumented individuals to maximize deportation numbers. Trump announced on Truth Social that Homan would report directly to him, bypassing the normal chain of command.

The latest crisis erupted after Border Patrol officers killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, on Saturday. Noem claimed Pretti “attacked” officers while “brandishing” a gun, statements contradicted by video footage. Her inflammatory rhetoric following the shooting drew criticism for escalating tensions in an already volatile situation.

Pattern of Controversial Incidents

🚨UN-F*CKING BELIEVABLE.

All the DEATHS. All the protests. All the chaos will literally stop in 2 seconds if Trump gets ICE the f*ck out of Minnesota.

So what does he do?

He is sending Tom Homan and more goons. The chaos is the point. pic.twitter.com/W6t73EGmDP

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) January 26, 2026

Saturday’s shooting occurred just 17 days after ICE officers killed Renee Good, also 37, in Minneapolis. Noem labeled Good’s actions “domestic terrorism” after she accelerated her vehicle toward an officer. The secretary’s aggressive characterizations of both incidents have raised questions about her judgment and messaging during sensitive law enforcement operations.

Political Implications and Next Steps

Despite public support for Homan’s deployment, administration sources acknowledge Trump’s decision signals trouble for Noem. One official compared the situation to a Super Bowl team avoiding trades despite injuries, suggesting Noem will retain her position. Homan will coordinate ICE operations while investigating Minnesota’s alleged $20 billion welfare fraud scandal. The state’s Democratic leadership has resisted federal cooperation, complicating enforcement efforts in the politically charged environment.