President Donald Trump spoke on Monday with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, calling both conversations "very good" as tensions rise over federal immigration enforcement in the state.
The discussions came after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old U.S. citizen Alex Pretti, who was killed Saturday during a confrontation with federal agents.
Frey said the president told him the "present situation cannot continue" and some federal agents would leave the area on Tuesday. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino is expected to be among those leaving the state.
Earlier, Trump said he was sending his border czar, Tom Homan, to Minnesota. According to the White House, Homan will lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations on the ground.
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Trump said Walz was receptive to the move.
"He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I! We have had such tremendous SUCCESS in Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and virtually every other place that we have “touched” and, even in Minnesota, Crime is way down, but both Governor Walz and I want to make it better!" Trump said.
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In a statement following the call, Walz said Trump was open to working with the state in a "more coordinated fashion on immigration enforcement regarding violent criminals."
Frey added that Minneapolis would cooperate with state and federal law enforcement on "real" criminal investigations, but drew the line at what he described as "unconstitutional arrests."
He said he plans to meet with Homan on Tuesday.
