The ongoing violence in the City of Minneapolis underscores the deep division between Gov. Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey and President Donald Trump. Belligerent statements by Walz and Frey have fanned the flames of violence and have given encouragement to the rioters. This is a dangerous dynamic that needs to stop.
The lack of priority over public safety in Minneapolis has devolved into a mini-revolution and not by accident. Gov. Walz, Mayor Frey, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara are collectively responsible for this reality as they refuse to cooperate with federal authorities. They would rather cling to their declared sanctuary status than assist with an orderly deportation process. Federal immigration exists for a reason — to safeguard our borders, the American people and our nation’s sovereignty. President Trump didn’t write the law; but he did promise to follow it and he is doing just that.
To the detriment of local tranquility and economic prosperity, all that has been shattered on the streets of Minneapolis. Minnesota Democrats would rather create another national embarrassment to add to the massive fraud scandal. From their intense hatred of Trump, they frequently declare some aspect of federal law doesn’t apply to Minnesota. They routinely find some entrenched Democrat judge and win a temporary legal decision. This cannot stand as business as usual.
Let us recall that this condition developed from President Joe Biden who opened the border to some 150 countries. Unlimited and unvetted immigration occurred to a modest estimate of 10-14 million. In the process, legal immigration was summarily rejected in favor of rushing the border. Former Homeland Security Director Alejandro Mayorkas repeatedly claimed that “the border was secure” as we watched busloads take illegals away to be released in cities across the country. We watched cities large and small struggle with an immediate population growth, creating chaos, anger and crime.
During this same time, some 320,000 children were brought in and released to the vagaries of poverty, loneliness and criminal activities. Even children were not immune from the harshness of Biden’s immigration policy. For what purpose did this occur? Was this a new Democrat ploy for an international version of “get out the vote”? Were low-skilled jobs in such demand that we needed an influx of cheap labor? Regardless of your theory, it is here and President Trump campaigned on the promise to remedy the situation.
An overview of historical deportations generally agree that President Bill Clinton removed some 870,000; President George W. Bush, 2 million; President Barack Obama, 3 million, and President Trump (first term), around 975,000. I do not recall much in the way of headline-grabbing stories – certainly nothing like we see today. But of course we didn’t have the massive numbers of illegal entries either. We had a border that was operational with respectful cooperation between federal, state and local authorities — of both political parties. So what changed? Donald Trump was reelected.
As a retired law enforcement officer, it is particularly disconcerting to watch MPD Chief O’Hara trade his badge and public safety mission for a protest sign and whistle. While he can disagree with longstanding immigration policy, that doesn’t dismiss him from his oath of office. Minneapolis police officers, serving as a perimeter safety force, would allow federal agents to concentrate on their unique assignments. Largely unencumbered by rabid protesters, this would keep everyone much safer. Yet O’Hara continues to acquiesce to Walz and Frey. His rank-and-file officers must be completely disillusioned and embarrassed. The concept of safeguarding the “thin blue line” has been traded for an extreme ideology.
Unwilling to learn from the lessons of the George Floyd riots, the same dynamic duo of Frey and Walz seem recklessly willing to head down that same path. Back in 2020, we watched Walz delay for four days to call out the National Guard. We watched Frey abandon the Third Precinct as he tried to appease the rioters with a symbolic trophy. We still see the remnants of burned out buildings on Lake St. to this day. We are frequently lectured by Democrats that we must “follow the law” yet apparently that isn’t valid in this case. If they feel strongly that immigration law should be changed, then work toward that goal. Seek redress and amend what needs to be altered in an orderly and thoughtful process. But the streets of Minneapolis should not be the location where immigration law is changed — certainly not amidst the presence of crime scene tape.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not represent an official position of Alpha News.
Joe Polunc is a retired Carver County deputy sheriff.
Joe Polunc
Joe Polunc is a retired Carver County Deputy Sheriff.
