Trump admin pulls back 700 federal agents from Minnesota

In an act of de-escalation, White House border czar Tom Homan announced that approximately 700 federal immigration agents would be withdrawn from Minnesota.

It still leaves around 2,000 agents stationed in the state, a figure Democratic leaders argue is still high. Federal forces currently outnumber local police in Minneapolis.

Homan justifies the continued presence on public safety grounds, but acknowledged a need to address the gap in providing body-worn cameras to agents.

The deportation campaign by President Donald Trump has sparked weeks of intense protests and legal battles in several states. It has been marred by violence, including the fatal shootings of two US citizens by federal officers in January.

President Trump suggested to NBC News that he is open to a “softer touch” regarding immigration, but maintained that the administration remains committed to its promise of mass deportations.