Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the White House should "recalibrate" Immigration and Customs Enforcement to restore respect for federal law enforcement.
He also blamed Democrat leadership for violent unrest surrounding immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
In an interview with conservative radio host Mark Davis on Monday following a second fatal shooting connected to anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis, Abbott said Democrat leadership in the city led to the tragedies.
"They are law enforcement officers," Abbott said. "The White House needs to recalibrate what needs to be done to make sure respect is reinstilled — especially under the current circumstances."
Abbott emphasized that respect for law enforcement is critical, saying ICE agents are being undermined by political leaders who criticize enforcement while tolerating unrest.
He said the Trump administration should adjust its strategy to ensure ICE can carry out its mission effectively without fueling 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 placed much of the blame for the unrest on Democrat Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing them of "literally inciting violence" by attacking President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
"The fights on the streets were fomented by the governor up there, by the mayor up there," Abbott said.
The comments come as immigration remains a flash point in Congress and within the Republican Party. Some GOP lawmakers have called for closer scrutiny of federal operations in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti by a U.S. Border Patrol agent this past weekend.
Democrats argue the violence stems from aggressive federal raids and excessive use of force, claiming local officials urged calm after federal agents flooded neighborhoods.
Abbott rejected that argument, saying the real problem is Democrat leaders who undermine law enforcement and fail to maintain order.
"This is truly the problem in Minnesota. It's more about the lack of leadership," he said.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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