Mayor Slams Federal Force Plans as 'Occupation' in Minneapolis (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: We're not going to be intimidated. If the goal here is safety, we've got many mechanisms to achieve safety. And the best way to get safety is not to have an influx of even more agents, and in this case, military in Minneapolis. Right now, we have about 600 police officers and they've got 3,000 or so ICE agents and border control that they are now talking about deploying 1,500 military. This is, well, it's ridiculous, but we will not be intimidated by the actions of this federal government.

[00:00:35] Speaker 2: Earlier this week, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune editorial board wrote that your state is, quote, under siege and compared the situation in Minneapolis to a, quote, military occupation. Is that how you see it? Is Minneapolis being occupied by the federal government?

[00:00:51] Speaker 1: Invaded, under siege, occupied. You know, use whatever word or superlative that you want to attach.

[00:00:58] Speaker 2: The Justice Department said it's investigating you and Democratic Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota over alleged obstruction of federal law enforcement. Have you received any sort of official notice or subpoena?

[00:01:11] Speaker 1: No, we have not received anything. I'm not aware of specific allegations, but if it were true, the targeting would be the product of performing one of the most basic responsibilities and obligations that I have as mayor, which is to speak on behalf of our great city, speak on behalf of our constituents and that the federal government would be going after me because of that speech should be deeply concerning. The First Amendment speech is not something that we negotiate away.