When Minnesota’s fraud scandal blew open, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons didn’t mince words — he pushed back hard when Gov. Tim Walz sneered at the federal crackdown as “buffoonery,” calling out the need to remove violent, criminal illegal immigrants who prey on American neighborhoods. Lyons’ appearance on Fox & Friends made clear that this is not political theatre; it’s law enforcement carrying out its duty to protect citizens from criminals who exploited our generosity.
This week’s operation is being described by DHS leaders as the largest immigration enforcement action the country has seen, with the federal government mobilizing roughly 2,000 agents to the Minneapolis area to hunt fraud networks and dangerous offenders. That kind of surge isn’t provocation — it’s proportionate to the scope of alleged theft and criminality uncovered in Minnesota, and it demonstrates the federal government will not stand idly by while taxpayers are robbed.
DHS officials say the sweep has already netted more than a thousand arrests of murderers, rapists, gang members and other violent offenders hiding inside immigrant communities, evidence that the mission is squarely focused on public safety. Conservatives who warned for years that sanctuary politics and lax enforcement would invite predators into our towns have been vindicated by these results, and Americans deserve officials who will act decisively.
Meanwhile, corporate wokeism reared its head in Minneapolis when a hotel allegedly canceled reservations for federal agents — a disgraceful stunt that put politics above the safety of law enforcement and the rule of law. Hospitality brands that side with mobs or virtue-signaling over cooperating with legitimate federal operations should be held accountable by consumers and, frankly, by shareholders who expect profits, not politics.
Governor Walz’s posturing — attacking the enforcement that is finally cleaning up the mess — is the sort of political cowardice Minnesotans rightly reject; he has faced blistering criticism and even decided not to seek another term as the scandal expanded. Instead of excusing lawlessness or protecting bureaucratic failures, state leaders should be standing with parents, small-business owners and taxpayers demanding accountability and prosecutions.
This operation reflects strong leadership from the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem and a restored commitment to enforcing our laws, removing dangerous people, and protecting American communities. Patriots should applaud agents doing hard work, pressure local officials to cooperate, and reject the blame-shifting from politicians who enabled this culture of fraud and leniency.
If Democrats in Minnesota and across the country want to defend their record, they can start by explaining how billions went missing and why they tolerated conditions that allowed criminals to exploit our systems. The rest of us — the hardworking Americans who pay the bills and keep our towns safe — will stand with law enforcement and common sense until every last corrupt actor is brought to justice.
