Trump Shifts Cabinet Spotlight Amid Minnesota Backlash: Noem and Bondi Sidelined

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a departure from the traditional "round-table" format of his Cabinet meetings, President Donald Trump hosted the first session of 2026 on Thursday without calling on two of his most prominent and embattled agency heads: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The decision to bypass the heads of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) comes as the administration faces intense scrutiny over a series of fatal incidents in Minnesota linked to "Operation Metro Surge," a federal immigration enforcement initiative.

The Minnesota Catalyst

The silence of Noem and Bondi at the Cabinet table follows the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis last weekend. The incident sparked immediate backlash from state and local officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who have accused federal agencies of "hijacking" state processes and eroding public trust.

While Trump publicly affirmed his confidence in Noem earlier this week, his actions behind the scenes suggest a tactical shift:

• Command Change: On Monday, Trump dispatched "Border Czar" Tom Homan to Minneapolis to take over command of federal operations from the previous leadership under Noem’s department.

• Second Amendment Friction: Conservative and gun-rights advocates reportedly bristled at early administration rhetoric—echoed by Noem—that initially appeared to blame Pretti for his own death because he was lawfully armed.

• Voter Data Dispute: Pam Bondi’s DOJ has also hit a wall in the state, with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon recently rejecting her formal request for the state's voter rolls.

A New Format or a "Doghouse" Message?

White House officials downplayed the omissions, characterizing the meeting as a "format shift" where the President hand-picked speakers to maximize efficiency. Among those who did speak were Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who mentioned Minnesota only in the context of Medicare fraud.

However, political analysts and congressional critics view the move as a clear signal. Democratic lawmakers have already begun discussing impeachment proceedings against Noem, citing the conduct of masked federal agents in Minnesota. By keeping Noem and Bondi away from the microphones, the President avoided a televised opportunity for reporters to ask about the specific tactics used in "Operation Metro Surge."

Key Takeaways from the Meeting

• JD Vance’s Role: Vice President JD Vance was given the final word of the meeting, emphasizing a message of executive unity despite the external protests.

• Hegseth’s Warning: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth utilized his speaking slot to issue a stern warning to Iran regarding its nuclear program, citing recent military raids as a template for U.S. resolve.

• Media Silence: For the first time since returning to office, the President concluded the Cabinet meeting without fielding any questions from the press, further shielding his administration from the growing Minnesota controversy.

Looking Ahead

The sidelining of Noem and Bondi raises questions about their long-term standing in the Trump Cabinet as "Operation Metro Surge" enters a more aggressive, yet politically volatile, phase. With Tom Homan now leading the charge on the ground in Minnesota, the administration appears to be distancing its top political appointees from the immediate fallout while doubling down on the enforcement operations themselves.