Pam Bondi Presses Walz to Cooperate With ICE After Minneapolis Unrest In a Sharply Worded Letter

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has sent a sharply worded letter to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accusing his administration and other Minnesota Democrats of policies that she says have endangered federal law enforcement officers and contributed to rising unrest in the state, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The letter follows a deadly incident in Minneapolis in which Border Patrol agents shot an armed individual during an immigration enforcement operation.

That shooting triggered protests and unrest in the city, with demonstrations escalating into riots in some areas. The incident has intensified scrutiny of Minnesota’s approach to immigration enforcement and cooperation with federal authorities.

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In her letter, Bondi directly blamed Minnesota’s leadership for what she described as a breakdown in law and order, citing sanctuary-style policies and a refusal to cooperate with federal immigration agencies.

“The State of Minnesota has refused to enforce the law, and the consequences are heartbreaking. Americans are watching politicians ignore federal immigration law, criminals attack federal law enforcement, and rioters storm church services. I write to urge a change,” Bondi wrote.

She continued by accusing Walz and other state officials of leaving federal agents to operate without support.

“Unfortunately, you and other Minnesota officials have refused to support the men and women risking their lives to protect Americans and uphold the rule of law. Because Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul have chosen to ignore federal immigration law by enacting sanctuary laws and policies, the federal agents led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have operated alone. And politicians in your state are not just refusing to help these agents, they are putting federal agents in danger,” Bondi wrote.

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Bondi called on Walz to take immediate steps to address what she described as “chaos in Minnesota” and to support federal efforts to remove criminal illegal aliens, arguing that cooperation would save lives.

The attorney general outlined three specific actions she said the state should take to “restore the rule of law, support ICE officers, and bring an end to the chaos in Minnesota.”

First, Bondi urged Minnesota to share records related to Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Service programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program data, with the federal government.

She wrote that allowing federal investigators access to those records would help uncover fraud, protect taxpayers, and ensure welfare funds are used appropriately.

Second, Bondi called on the state to repeal its sanctuary policies.

She wrote that removing criminal illegal aliens from Minnesota communities would save lives and said state and local detention facilities should fully cooperate with ICE, honor immigration detainers, and allow ICE to interview detainees to determine immigration status.

She urged Minnesota to reach an agreement with ICE to allow the removal of illegal aliens already in custody, rather than pushing enforcement actions into public spaces.

Third, Bondi said Minnesota should allow the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to access voter rolls to confirm compliance with federal law, as authorized by the Civil Rights Act of 1960.

She wrote that granting access would help guarantee free and fair elections and strengthen confidence in the rule of law.

Bondi said she was confident that taking these steps would “help bring back law and order to Minnesota and improve the lives of Americans.”

She concluded the letter by calling on state and local officials to change course.

“The time has come for state and local officials in your state to change course. As the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, I am committed to enforcing federal immigration laws and keeping every American safe. Minnesota can and should be a partner with this administration. Do not obstruct federal immigration enforcement; do not allow rioters to take over the streets and houses of worship; do not hinder federal officials from investigating financial fraud and violations of election laws. Whether state and local politicians stand in the way or not, we will work every day to protect Americans and make Minnesota Safe Again. I request that you join us in that effort,” Bondi wrote.

In a letter to MN Gov. Tim Walz (D) Saturday, Bondi claimed that Walz could “restore the rule of law” by complying with a list of demands, including giving the Department of Justice (DOJ) the state’s voter registration records. @JasonWhitely pic.twitter.com/Iin9jPxaxs

— Steven Spainhouer (@SpainhouerinTX) January 25, 2026

The Minneapolis shooting has continued to fuel protests across the area, with clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement and declarations of an “autonomous zone” by activists involved in the unrest.

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