Chicago – February 14, 2026
Former President Barack Obama sharply criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents’ actions during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, calling their “rogue behavior” deeply concerning and reminiscent of tactics seen in dictatorships.
In a podcast interview with Brian Tyler Cohen released Saturday, Obama highlighted the deployment of over 2,000 agents without clear guidelines, citing incidents like pulling people from homes, using children to lure parents, and tear-gassing peaceful crowds. He described these as “unprecedented” and dangerous, praising Minnesotans’ peaceful protests in subzero weather as a hopeful sign that “this is not the America we believe in.”
The operation, targeting immigration enforcement amid welfare fraud claims, resulted in arrests but drew backlash for aggressive tactics and shootings killing Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Obama urged restoring rule of law by citizens saying “enough.”
Border czar Tom Homan announced the operation’s wind-down Thursday, citing successful arrests and reduced agitator incidents.
