By Michelle Hackman

President Trump's decision to send White House border czar Tom Homan to lead operations in Minneapolis likely signals a desire for a significant change in tactics there.

Homan and Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary, have had a contentious relationship almost since the start of the administration.

Homan, a longtime ICE veteran, has always emphasized the importance of focusing ICE's efforts on hunting down serious criminals living illegally in the U.S. But Noem, who exerts much more direct control over ICE and the Border Patrol, has favored the flashier approach that has seen agents making indiscriminate arrests-and deploying military tactics against protesters.

Over the last six months, top administration officials have preferred Noem's strategy, delighting in going after sanctuary cities and their liberal protesters, and Homan's influence waned. Monday's announcement could indicate a reversal in their approach.

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January 26, 2026 10:09 ET (15:09 GMT)

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