How will things end in Minneapolis? There is an easy solution
By Easton Martin | January 27, 2026
While the protests and riots in Minneapolis continue to escalate, President Trump is making clear he sees a simple off ramp. From his perspective, political standoff will ease the moment state and local leaders stop resisting federal immigration enforcement and begin turning over undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
Minnesota officials, particularly in Minneapolis, have long leaned into sanctuary style policies. That posture may play well with progressive activists, but it puts them on a collision course with a White House that campaigned on mass deportations and law and order. When local leaders refuse cooperation, the administration argues it is forced to step in more aggressively, which in turn fuels more demonstrations and media attention. It is a cycle that benefits neither side politically in the short term, but President Trump is betting the public will ultimately side with enforcement over resistance.
Where this ends likely depends on who blinks first. If state leaders quietly expand cooperation behind the scenes, federal pressure could scale back and the streets calm down. If they double down, Minneapolis risks becoming a long running symbol of blue state defiance, complete with court battles, funding threats, and continued federal presence.
The bigger picture is that this is now a test case for immigration policy. If the administration can force policy changes in a deep blue stronghold, other cities may think twice about open resistance. If Minneapolis holds firm without major consequences, sanctuary policies elsewhere will only harden.
