President Donald Trump's decision to dispatch his border czar, Tom Homan, to Minnesota has thrown a long-running internal rift into the open, as the administration faces outrage over federal immigration enforcement tactics in Minneapolis.
The move puts Homan in charge of operations linked to two deaths during federal actions in the city, and it effectively strips Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of control over one of the White House's most politically sensitive enforcement flashpoints.
A Clash at the Top of Homeland Security
Homan, a long-time immigration enforcer and Trump loyalist, will report directly to the president as he leads federal operations in Minnesota, sidelining Noem's direct oversight. Trump announced on 26 January 2026 that Homan, whom he described as 'tough but fair', would take charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts in the state, a decision widely seen as a rebuke to Noem's handling of the crisis.
Homan's deployment follows protests after two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis, including the death of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti. Federal officials have characterised the incidents as defensive, but videos circulating online and statements from local leaders, including Minnesota's attorney general, have challenged that account.
Insider accounts suggest the rift between Homan and Noem predates the Minnesota crisis. A report circulating among White House advisers claims the two barely speak, and one adviser quoted Trump as saying, 'Her and Tom don't get along', while insisting both are doing their jobs.
One of the biggest fault lines is strategy. Homan, alongside ICE Director Todd Lyons, has emphasised prioritising deportations of people with criminal records or final removal orders, while Noem and senior allies, including Corey Lewandowski and Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, have pushed for broader operations designed to drive up removal numbers, according to reports describing the internal climate as 'tense' and 'combative'.
“I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me...” - President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/VMTijN2Eh9
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 26, 2026
Minnesota Deployment Deepens the Rift
Homan's Minnesota assignment is now being treated as a test of which approach will dominate inside the administration. By giving Homan a direct reporting line, Trump has elevated him above Noem during a national controversy and has put operational decisions under a microscope.
Noem publicly welcomed Homan's appointment on her official X account, calling it 'good news for peace, safety, and accountability in Minneapolis', and praising his 'experience and insight'. Even so, Republican lawmakers and administration aides have interpreted the move as a sign Trump has lost patience with Noem's approach, because it undercuts her authority without formally removing her.
The Minnesota operation has also drawn legal pressure. A US District Court is considering whether the federal surge of 3,000 immigration agents amounts to an unlawful occupation that violates state sovereignty, with state lawyers arguing the deployment risks public safety and oversteps federal authority.
This is good news for peace, safety, and accountability in Minneapolis.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 26, 2026
I have worked closely with Tom over the last year and he has been a major asset to our team— his experience and insight will help us in our wide-scale fraud investigations, which have robbed Americans, and… pic.twitter.com/sLtArl1QcT
Policy and Public Backlash
At the centre of the feud sits a widening split over messaging and accountability after fatal incidents. After the 7 January 2026 shooting of Renée Nicole Good by an ICE agent, Noem publicly described Good's actions as 'domestic terrorism', and suggested she 'weaponised her vehicle', despite investigations still ongoing.
Homan has taken a different line. In a January interview, he urged restraint in public commentary, arguing it is unprofessional to pre-judge an incident based on limited video, and that law enforcement professionals should review all available evidence before drawing conclusions.
The divide has reportedly spilt into media strategy, too. Administration staff told one outlet that Noem tried to limit Homan's television appearances, arguing he was getting 'out front' of her on immigration messaging, and that the move backfired and intensified their rivalry.
Broader Implications for Immigration Strategy
The Homan–Noem dispute is landing at a volatile moment for Trump's immigration agenda, which remains a defining, and polarising, pillar of his presidency. Legal challenges, protests, and bipartisan scrutiny over enforcement actions have sharpened questions about whether the administration is coordinating coherently, especially in high-stakes deployments such as Minnesota.
Senate Democrats have called for both Noem and Homan to testify before the Homeland Security Committee, signalling growing concern about the administration's tactics, and the apparent disconnect between federal, state, and local authorities.
For Trump, putting Homan in charge looks like an attempt to stabilise operations, and tighten control over a crisis that has damaged public trust. For Noem, it is a public blow that risks turning an internal rivalry into a lasting challenge to her standing inside the administration.
