A leading Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate withdrew from the race, publicly breaking with President Trump’s immigration enforcement operations after witnessing what he called racial profiling and an “unmitigated disaster” that has made U.S. citizens carry papers to prove their citizenship.
Story Snapshot
- Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel abandoned his gubernatorial bid, citing opposition to Trump’s Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement in Minnesota
- Madel had represented an ICE agent involved in a fatal shooting during the operation, but now calls the enforcement tactics overreach involving racial profiling
- The withdrawal came two days after a Border Patrol agent fatally shot an ICU nurse filming the immigration operation
- Madel declared he cannot remain in a party conducting “retribution” against Minnesota citizens, exposing significant GOP divisions over federal immigration policy
Republican Candidate Abandons Party Over Immigration Crackdown
Chris Madel announced his withdrawal from the 2026 Minnesota Republican gubernatorial primary on Monday through a video statement, directly criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation as having expanded far beyond its stated purpose.
The Minneapolis attorney declared he cannot support what he characterized as the National Republican Party’s retribution against Minnesota citizens. Madel had emerged as a leading Republican contender within two months of entering the race in December 2025, capitalizing on his successful defense of Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan in a high-profile murder case.
Madel said that while he supports the goal of deporting “the worst of the worst” from Minnesota, he thinks the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities has gone too far. https://t.co/wY7tuFqE2U
— KFGO (@790KFGO) January 26, 2026
Fatal Shootings Expose Operation’s Scope and Tactics
The withdrawal followed two fatal shootings by federal immigration agents during Operation Metro Surge enforcement activities in Minneapolis. Madel had provided legal representation to ICE agent Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot Renee Good, a mother of three protesting an immigration operation.
Days later, on January 25, a Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center who was filming the operation while legally armed.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Pretti’s actions “domestic terrorism,” while Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called him a “would-be assassin,” characterizations that appear to have intensified Madel’s concerns about federal overreach.
Racial Profiling Claims Challenge Conservative Immigration Stance
Madel’s statement included pointed criticism of what he described as racial profiling within the immigration operation. He declared that “driving while Hispanic is not a crime, neither is driving while Asian,” and emphasized that United States citizens are carrying papers to prove their citizenship status.
The attorney stated that U.S. citizens, particularly those of color, now live in fear due to the operation’s expanded scope.
While conservatives generally support strong immigration enforcement targeting genuine public safety threats, Madel’s allegations suggest the operation may have crossed constitutional boundaries by treating law-abiding citizens as suspects based on appearance rather than actual immigration violations.
GOP Faces Electoral Consequences From Internal Divisions
Madel assessed that national Republican actions have made it nearly impossible for Republicans to win statewide elections in Minnesota, where the GOP has not elected a governor in 20 years.
The crowded Republican primary field of approximately a dozen candidates includes Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, former state senator Scott Jensen, and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, most of whom have stood behind the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The primary had become more competitive after Democratic Governor Tim Walz withdrew his reelection bid on January 5 amid criticism over welfare fraud handling, presenting Republicans with an unexpected opportunity that Madel now believes the party has squandered through federal immigration enforcement tactics.
Madel concluded his announcement by stating he must be able to look his daughters in the eye and tell them he did what was right, emphasizing personal principle over political ambition. His departure removes a leading contender from the Republican field but exposes deeper tensions within the party between Trump administration immigration policies and electoral viability in states with significant immigrant populations.
The attorney’s unique position as both a law enforcement defender and immigration enforcement critic illustrates the complex political terrain Republicans must navigate when federal operations produce controversial outcomes that alienate moderate voters and minority communities whose support may be necessary for statewide victories.
Sources:
Chris Madel withdraws from Minnesota governor’s race, cites ICE operations – Fox 9 Minneapolis
Minnesota GOP Governor’s Race: Chris Madel Drops Out Over Trump Immigration – Notus
