Minnesota Governor Tim Walz invoked the historical memory of Anne Frank as he condemned federal immigration enforcement operations in his state following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by immigration agents in Minneapolis, urging an end to what he described as a crisis of fear and unrest in communities across Minnesota.
“We have children in Minnesota hiding in their homes, afraid to go outside. Many of us grew up reading the story of Anne Frank — and someone is going to write that kind of story about Minnesota,” Walz said. “There’s one person who can end this now. I’ll say it again: please show some decency. Pull these federal agents out, reset this situation, and let us do the job that the attorney general and I were elected to do — protect the people of Minnesota and carry out Minnesota’s laws.”
Gov. Walz: "We grew up reading the story of Anne Frank. Somebody is gonna write one regarding Minnesota." pic.twitter.com/t8LEAFhZEr
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 25, 2026
Walz’s remarks came as protests and political tensions surged after Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti on Saturday during a federal immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis. Pretti, an intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen, was among multiple individuals fatally shot by immigration agents in the city in recent weeks, triggering widespread outrage and demonstrations. The incident occurred amid Operation Metro Surge, an expanded enforcement campaign that has deployed thousands of federal agents in Minnesota, and has prompted criticism from local leaders and civil rights advocates.
Anne Frank’s story — of a Jewish girl who went into hiding with her family to escape Nazi persecution and whose diary became one of the most enduring symbols of innocence under siege — has long been cited as a reminder of the consequences when government power strips people of safety and freedom. By referencing that legacy, Walz sought to underscore his view that children in Minnesota should not be living in fear because of actions taken by federal authorities under President Trumps control.
In his address, Walz urged residents and the nation to view the moment not as a political dispute but as a moral one, arguing that the federal response to protests and enforcement has crossed a line. He reiterated calls for President Trump to withdraw federal agents and allow state and local law enforcement to operate independently, stating that what is happening in Minnesota is neither “common‑sense, lawful, or humane enforcement” nor reflective of the state’s values.
🚨NEW: Tim Walz DEMANDS President Trump pulls out of Minnesota
— Jack (@jackunheard) January 24, 2026
“I call on you once again, remove this force from Minnesota. They are sowing chaos and violence.”
No, send more.
pic.twitter.com/dHrhpNKf1Y
Walz also called on Minnesotans and Americans broadly to put aside partisan divisions and consider basic human decency in their response to the crisis. He praised the peaceful actions of protesters and framed Minnesota’s defense of its communities and Constitution as an example to the rest of the country. At the same time, he emphasized that the involvement of thousands of federal agents, which he described as an “occupation,” has heightened fear among families, particularly children who he said are reluctant to leave their homes. Local and state officials have been sharply critical of how federal authorities have handled the investigation into Pretti’s death, with Minnesota’s attorney general and law enforcement leaders alleging that federal agents denied them access to the crime scene. A federal judge has ordered the preservation of evidence in the case amid ongoing legal disputes.
The shooting and its aftermath have put Walz at the center of a broader debate over immigration enforcement in the United States, with state leaders demanding accountability and a reassessment of federal strategies. Calling for calm and resilience, he asked communities to remain peaceful while continuing to push for change, framing the situation as a pivotal moment in the nation’s understanding of government authority, public safety, and individual rights.
