Tim Walz and AG Keith Ellison Put Politics Over Public Safety [WATCH]

Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton defended his department’s participation in a federal immigration enforcement partnership, arguing that cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is critical to public safety, while criticizing Minnesota’s top Democratic leaders for opposing those efforts.

Burton made the comments during an exchange with journalist Liz Collin while discussing the county’s involvement in the federal 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement agencies to work with ICE. Burton said the decision to participate was rooted in preparation and safety.

“You know, I think failing to prepare is is preparing to fail. I’ve always said that,” Burton said.

“And so for for us, it was more just preparation. And anything we can do to partner with our federal partners, to make the county safer, I think, is a good thing.”

Collin asked Burton to explain how Mille Lacs County operates under the 287(g) task force model.

“So there are three types of, 287(g) agreements that you can enter into. You’re in what’s called the task force model. Explain how that works,” she said.

Burton outlined the differences between the available agreements and emphasized that the task force model focuses on targeting dangerous offenders.

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“Yeah. So you have three, three agreements you can enter into. You’ve got like a jail model, which mostly involves detaining of folks that are here illegally. You’ve got a warrant, a Warrant Officer model, and then you have the task force model, which is what we’re in,” he said.

He said the model allows local deputies to work directly alongside ICE agents in the field.

“That’s more of a collaboration between us and ICE agents. It allows us to go out in the field and assist them in apprehending certain individuals who they deem to be kind of the most dangerous,” Burton said.

Burton referenced federal priorities that focus on removing individuals who pose the greatest threat.

“You’ve heard, I’m sure, representatives from DHS talk about our priority right now is the worst first,” he said.

“Certainly the worst first would be those who are here, not only illegally, but have also committed, you know, violent or heinous crimes while they’re in the country illegally.”

Collin contrasted Minnesota’s stance with that of other states that cooperate with ICE, citing her own experience on a ride-along.

“You know, Sheriff, we were able to accompany ice on a recent ride along,” she said.

“You could clearly see how these partnerships are so valuable in many states. There is that cooperation. Not the case in Minnesota.”

She noted that without local cooperation, ICE agents are forced into more dangerous situations.

“You could see how these agents are basically then forced out into the field, whether it’s homes or businesses, rather than just doing a pickup from the local jail,” Collin said.

She questioned why Minnesota’s leadership opposes such partnerships.

“You have to kind of wonder that this is our Attorney General in Minnesota, our top law enforcement officer. I mean, that’s what the attorney general of any state is. So why would they be against something like this that really centers around safety?”

Burton pointed directly to opposition from Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, saying their rhetoric undermines law enforcement.

“That’s a great question,” Burton said.

“And, you know, I think it’s the Attorney General and the governor of Minnesota have both been very much opposed to the President’s stance on illegal immigration, cracking down on border security.”

Burton cited Walz’s past comments about federal immigration agents.

“I mean, our governor has been quoted publicly referring to, you know, ICE agents as the Gestapo,” he said.

A clip of Walz was then played, in which the governor said, “Donald Trump’s modern day Gestapo. Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets. They’re in unmarked vans wearing masks, being shipped off to foreign torture dungeons, no chance to mount a defense, not even a chance to kiss the loved one goodbye, just grabbed up by masked agents, shoved into those vans and disappeared.”

Burton said such language has real-world consequences.

“So you know, when you have that kind of rhetoric being fed by top level officials such as the governor and now the attorney general, who is clearly not in support of this program. It’s troubling,” he said.

He added that opposition to immigration enforcement is rooted in partisan politics rather than public safety.

“I mean, their political party, they’re both democrats, that’s no secret, has very much not been in support of, you know, the current administration’s efforts to secure the country,” Burton said.

“And the reality is, the vast majority of America voted for this.”

WATCH:

🚨 WOW! Mille Lacs County MN Sheriff Kyle Burton told Dem AG Keith Ellison to SCREW OFF after being instructed not to cooperate with ICE

He WILL help ICE if any illegals are spotted under 287g.

THIS IS A PATRIOT! All sheriffs should do this! 🇺🇸
pic.twitter.com/qHR5k0JPfP

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 13, 2025