New: Walz Responds to Trump, Calls Conversation 'Productive'

Earlier on Monday, we were mildly amazed to learn that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called President Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing hooraw in Minneapolis/St. Paul. More amazing was President Trump's optimistic tone in the conversation. The president called it "productive" and noted that Governor Walz was reportedly pleased to see Border Czar Tom Homan taking over control of ICE and Border Patrol operations on the ground in the Twin Cities.

Now, Governor Walz's office has released a statement, likewise referring to the conversation as "productive," but with a few caveats.

UPDATE: @GovTimWalz’s office confirms to @realdailywire that the he had a “productive” call with President Donald Trump this morning. pic.twitter.com/xwf5mtzCJn
— Cameron Arcand (@cameron_arcand) January 26, 2026

Let's look at some highlights.

Referring to the recent shootings involving federal agents, it seems there is some agreement on something that seems rather obvious: That the state should be able to conduct some investigation into these matters along with the federal government.

The Governor made the case that we need impartial investigations of the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents, and that we need to reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota.

First, the president reportedly agreed to speak with the leaders of Homeland Security about a state-level investigation. And, yes, the truth must come out in this matter, regardless of who is discovered to be at fault; that's how our justice system is supposed to work. As far as reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota, I have a funny feeling that will happen after every name on the ICE and Border Patrol illegal aliens list is checked off.

Second, the governor claims that ICE detainers are being honored.

The Governor reminded President Trump that the Minnesota Department of Corrections already honors federal detainers by notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a person committed to its custody isn't a U.S. citizen. There is not a single documented case of the department's releasing someone from state prison without offering to ensure a smooth transfer of custody.

Note the specific language here, which is surely deliberate: The statement only refers to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, meaning the state prison system. There is no mention of city and county authorities; only the Department of Corrections. This overlooks cases like this: On January 13 of this year, Samuel Arevalo Hernandez, a Guatemalan national who faces two counts of criminal sexual conduct, was released from the Cottonwood County jail after posting bail despite an ICE detainer. The county official claimed ICE told them that ICE was "too busy" to pick Hernandez up - color me skeptical.

In any case, this statement makes no mention of anything other than the Department of Corrections; that's revealing.

But, as someone once famously said, it's better to jaw, jaw, jaw, than to war, war, war, or whatever the corresponding activity here is in play. What it does look like is that Governor Walz is seeing some writing on the wall. Remember, he reached out to President Trump, not the other way around, and it may be - I'm not saying it is, but it may be - that Governor Walz is belatedly realizing that he and his people have brought into being something that they can no longer control.

This is still a developing story. Stay tuned.

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