Walz to give primetime address amid ICE surge, impeachment push
Gov. Tim Walz will deliver a primetime statewide address as Minnesota contends with a federal ICE crackdown and protests tied to recent ICE-related shootings. His speech comes as President Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to Minneapolis unrest — a major federal escalation that could collide with state and local leaders already in court seeking to rein in Operation Metro Surge.
📌 Key Facts
- Gov. Tim Walz is scheduled to deliver a statewide address that will be overshadowed by President Trump’s recent public statements.
- President Trump posted a threat to invoke the Insurrection Act, framing the move as a direct response to Minneapolis street protests and clashes tied to recent ICE shootings.
- Experts and officials say any invocation of the Insurrection Act would be a major new federal escalation and would collide with state and local leaders who are already in court trying to rein in Operation Metro Surge.
📊 Relevant Data
The Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has been the target of DHS deportation efforts, with members deported as violent criminals in 2025.
DHS Deports Tren de Aragua Gang Members, Sexual Predators and Violent Criminals — Department of Homeland Security
Venezuela's homicide rate was 26.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024, compared to the U.S. rate of 6.8 per 100,000 in 2022.
Illegal immigrants in the U.S. had lower incarceration rates than native-born Americans from 2010 to 2023, with rates of 1.3 per 100 illegal immigrants versus 2.6 per 100 native-born.
Illegal Immigrant Incarceration Rates, 2010–2023 — Cato Institute
The Venezuelan immigrant population in the United States grew 318% from 2010 to 2023, increasing from approximately 166,000 to 694,000.
Venezuelan Immigrants in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
Venezuelan immigrants in Temporary Protected Status contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, with estimated fiscal and economic gains exceeding the value of Venezuela's oil exports.
Venezuelan Immigrants More Valuable For America Than Venezuela’s Oil — Forbes
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Introduces Trump’s Insurrection Act threat as a major new federal escalation that will hang over Walz’s scheduled statewide address.
- Frames the President’s post as directly responding to Minneapolis street protests and clashes around the ICE shootings, not just to abstract crime or border issues.
- Shows that any Insurrection Act move would collide head‑on with state and local leaders already in court trying to rein in Operation Metro Surge.