White House Border Czar Tom Homan defended the federal response to a fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis during a heated exchange on Meet The Press Sunday, suggesting the actions of the deceased woman could fit the definition of “domestic terrorism” and fiercely backing the FBI’s exclusive control over the investigation.
Sitting down with host Kristen Welker, Homan addressed the controversy surrounding the recent death of a woman shot by an ICE officer. When pressed on whether the administration views those who protest ICE as domestic terrorists—a label used by Secretary Noem regarding the incident—Homan declined to contradict Noem.
READ: “I’ve Seen This Movie Before”: Homan Blames Rhetoric For Bloodshed In Minnesota
“I can’t say that. It’s a case-by-case basis,” Homan said. However, he argued that the specific actions taken during the Minneapolis incident crossed a line. “If you look up the definition of terrorism… is there violence, is there a threat of violence based on an ideology that wants to change the way the government does what we do? It certainly can fall within that.”
Homan emphasized the physical threat posed to the agent, stating, “Don’t drive a 4,000-pound vehicle toward an officer.”
The interview also highlighted a growing jurisdictional rift between federal and local authorities. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has publicly criticized the exclusion of state and local officials from the investigation, arguing that without access, she cannot promise transparency to her community.
Homan dismissed these concerns, asserting that the involvement of a federal officer makes this strictly an FBI matter. “I’ve been doing this since 1984… It’s been that way forever,” Homan said. He then pivoted to attack local leadership, accusing them of previously obstructing federal law enforcement. “Where were all these people? It shocks me… They step aside and let child rapists be released from jails back in the community. They’re complicit.”
READ: ICE Sweeps Minnesota: Convicted Murderers, Child Predators Arrested Amid Heated Tension
When Welker questioned if the officer’s judgment might have been clouded by a previous trauma—referencing Vice President JD Vance’s noted that the same officer was dragged by a car six months prior—Homan conceded it was possible.
“It may have,” Homan admitted, but he quickly contextualized the officer’s reaction within a landscape of escalating danger for ICE agents. He cited internal data claiming assaults on officers are up over 1,300% and threats are up 8,000%. “He has a second to make that decision… in his mind, he feared for his life and he took appropriate action.”
The conversation turned combative when addressing public sentiment. Welker noted there have been nine ICE-involved shootings since September and cited reports of U.S. citizens being detained, asking how Homan justifies a strategy that makes the public feel unsafe.
Homan placed the blame squarely on media narratives and political rhetoric.
“They’re looking at media reports that are saying ICE are terrorists or racists,” Homan argued. “That empowers [people] to do stupid things.”
He concluded by defending the agency’s track record, stating that roughly 70% of those arrested are criminals, including DUI offenders, which he categorized as a major public safety threat. “If you don’t like what ICE is doing, then go protest Congress,” Homan said. “ICE is enforcing laws enacted by Congress.”
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