Donald Trump has expressed grave reservations about the optics for his immigration crackdown after an ICE agent shot dead a protester in Minneapolis.
By PHILLIP NIETO, US POLITICAL REPORTER
Published: 14:57 BST, 16 January 2026 | Updated: 18:44 BST, 16 January 2026
Donald Trump has expressed grave reservations about the optics for his immigration crackdown after an ICE agent shot dead a protester in Minneapolis last week.
Renee Good, 37, was killed during the crackdown that has seen thousands of ICE officers flood the Twin Cities, yanking people from cars and homes while confronting angry activists, demanding they leave.
White House aides are privately worried that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's tactics are eroding public support, with prominent conservative voices Joe Rogan and Megyn Kelly criticizing the administration's handling.
Trump has even admitted that it 'looks bad' and wants to see ICE agents conducting deportations not fighting with protesters, according to a report from Axios.
'I wouldn't say he's concerned about the policy,' said a top Trump adviser. 'He wants deportations. He wants mass deportations. What he doesn't want is what people are seeing.
'He doesn't like the way it looks. It looks bad, so he's expressed some discomfort at that… There's the right way to do this. And this doesn't look like the right way to a lot of people.'
Trump has been shown private polling that shows independent, moderate, and minority voters are losing support for the crackdown. Those voters were key to his 2024 victory and will be essential in the 2026 midterms.
The internal GOP poll found 60 percent of independents and 58 percent of undecideds believe Trump is 'too focused' on deportations.
Donald Trump is said to have privately expressed grave reservations about the optics for his immigration crackdown, while public support has collapsed under his ICE chief Kristi Noem
An activist is detained in Minneapolis on Tuesday amid a high police presence in the city
Renee Good, 37, was killed during the immigration crackdown that has seen thousands of ICE officers flood the Twin Cities
Federal immigration officers confront protesters outside Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis on Thursday
The survey also found 33 percent believed he is deporting mostly law-abiding people, not 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.'
Agents have yanked people from cars and homes and been confronted by angry bystanders who are demanding that officers pack up and leave
Minneapolis Police Department officers face off with protesters during an anti-ICE protest outside of the Whipple Federal Building in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, on Thursday
Federal agents have used tear gas and flash bangs during nightly battles on the streets of Minneapolis, while protesters have responded by launching fireworks at officers
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.
| # | Наименование новости | Тональность | Информативность | Дата публикации |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trump reportedly flinches at Minneapolis ICE shooting | 0 | 8.1 | 16-01-2026 |
| 2 | ICE halts traffic stops in wake of fatal shooting in Maine | -5 | 7 | 14-07-2026 |
| 3 | ICE halts most traffic stops in wake of fatal shooting in Maine | -5 | 7 | 14-07-2026 |
| 4 | Megyn Kelly accuses Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of trying to stoke riots with angry response to woman shot dead by ICE | 0 | 5.62 | 08-01-2026 |
| 5 | Donald Trump’s siege in Minneapolis is floundering | -2 | 5 | 22-01-2026 |
| 6 | Megyn Kelly sounds alarm over ICE enforcement and warns it could damage Trump's midterm chances | 0 | 7.81 | 16-01-2026 |
| 7 | Megyn Kelly accuses mayor Jacob Frey of trying to stoke riots | 0 | 5.82 | 08-01-2026 |
| 8 | Checks and Balance newsletter: A chilling week in Minnesota | -2 | 6 | 09-01-2026 |
| 9 | Trump rips into 'loser terrible' Republicans calling for Kristi Noem to be sacked | -2 | 3 | 28-01-2026 |
| 10 | Trump rips into GOP senators calling for Kristi Noem ouster | -2 | 3 | 28-01-2026 |