Donald Trump has voiced significant concerns about the public perception surrounding his administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement after a tragic incident in Minneapolis. Last week, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old protester, amid a campaign that has inundated the Twin Cities with ICE officers. These officers have been forcibly extracting individuals from vehicles and homes, clashing with demonstrators who demand their withdrawal. Within the White House, aides are apprehensive that the methods employed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are diminishing public backing. Notably, conservative figures like Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly have criticized the administration’s approach.

According to an Axios report, Trump has acknowledged that the situation “looks bad” and prefers ICE officers to focus on deportations rather than confrontations with protesters. A senior adviser to Trump stated, “He isn’t bothered by the policy itself; he desires deportations, especially on a large scale. However, he is displeased with the current optics. It’s not about the deportations themselves but how they are being perceived. This isn’t the right way to many.”

Private polling data presented to Trump reveals a decline in support from independent, moderate, and minority voters—groups critical to his 2024 success and vital for the 2026 midterms. An internal Republican poll indicates that 60% of independents and 58% of undecided voters think Trump is excessively focused on deportations. Additionally, 33% believe that the deportation efforts are targeting primarily law-abiding individuals rather than criminals.

Under Noem, ICE’s reputation has tanked with most Americans. CNN and YouGov polling also found that most Americans believe the agency was making cities less safe with their immigration crackdown operations. Meanwhile, ICE is not receiving support from state and local leaders in Minnesota who have called on the public to resist the immigration crackdown. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the situation ‘not sustainable.’ Federal agents have fired tear gas and flash bangs during nightly street battles, while protesters have launched fireworks back.

Governor Tim Walz branded it an ‘occupation’ and said agents were ‘kidnapping people for no reason.’ Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche accused Frey and Walz of inciting an ‘insurrection.’ ‘It’s disgusting. Walz and Frey – I’m focused on stopping YOU from your terrorism by whatever means necessary. This is not a threat. It’s a promise,’ Blanche wrote on X last night. Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy US troops to Minneapolis to allow deportations to continue.