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Trump's Masterstroke in Minneapolis: Turning Chaos into Order Through the Art of the Deal

Glenn Beck on The Glenn Beck Program Radio Show
Glenn Beck on The Glenn Beck Program Radio Show

In the frozen heart of Minneapolis, where protests have morphed into a dangerous standoff against federal authority, President Donald Trump has once again demonstrated why he's the ultimate dealmaker. On the January 27, 2026, episode of The Glenn Beck Program, Beck dissected the ongoing riots with his signature chalkboard intensity, warning that "this isn't just about immigration—it's a test case for whether radicals can paralyze a city and force the federal government to back down." Drawing historical parallels to the 1968 Chicago riots, Beck explained how the current violence—sparked by a fatal ICE shooting on January 24—represents a broader assault on law and order. But amid the turmoil, Trump negotiated a pivotal agreement with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to deploy former ICE Director Tom Homan, turning potential catastrophe into a strategic victory. As conservatives, we must learn from this: strong leadership, rooted in moral clarity and prudent negotiation, can reclaim control from chaos. This op-ed explores the facts of the Minneapolis riots, the genius of Trump's deal, and the lessons for America's future—lessons that echo Reagan's firmness against disorder and the Church's call for just authority.


The Powder Keg Ignites: Facts of the Minneapolis Riots

The riots in Minneapolis didn't erupt in a vacuum. As Beck outlined on his show, "folks, this is straight out of the 1960s playbook—chaos in the streets, agents under fire, and radicals fanning the flames." The flashpoint was the January 24 shooting during an ICE raid in the Phillips neighborhood. ICE agents were executing a warrant on 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who had alleged ties to undocumented networks and a history of resisting arrest. According to the official ICE statement, Pretti "produced a firearm and aimed it at officers," prompting a single shot in self-defense. This was the second fatal incident in weeks, fueling accusations of overreach from the left while conservatives see it as necessary enforcement against criminal elements.


By January 26, protests swelled to tens of thousands, organized by unions and activist groups demanding ICE's withdrawal. Beck connected the dots: "If we don't back our agents, we're handing the keys to criminals and communists—just like in Venezuela under Maduro." Protesters blocked federal vehicles, clashed with police, and turned the city into what Beck called a "test case for anarchy." The White House defended the operations, noting Pretti's prior convictions linked to methamphetamine distribution, emphasizing that these are "targeted enforcement against criminal aliens under federal law."


For conservatives, this chaos underscores the dangers of sanctuary policies. Beck warned that without firm action, cities become "sanctuaries for chaos," echoing Ronald Reagan's 1980s stance on law and order. Learning from history, the 1968 riots exposed divisions that weakened America—today, similar unrest risks empowering cartels and radicals. As Beck put it, "this is the front line, folks." We must recognize that true justice requires upholding the rule of law, not yielding to mob demands. This isn't about hating immigrants; it's about protecting communities from crime and exploitation, as the Catechism teaches in CCC 2241: nations have the right to regulate borders for the common good.


Trump's Art of the Deal: Negotiating with Walz to Deploy Homan

Amid the escalating violence, Trump showcased his dealmaking prowess by negotiating with Governor Tim Walz to bring in Tom Homan. Beck framed this as "the silver lining in the storm clouds," a classic move from Trump's The Art of the Deal: "leverage strength, find common ground, and close the deal fast." On January 25, Trump called Walz directly, offering federal support to restore order without invoking the Insurrection Act, in exchange for state cooperation with ICE. Walz, facing on-going political pressure, agreed to "work together," as reported in White House briefings.


The deal's centerpiece: Homan's deployment to Minneapolis on January 26, where he would coordinate with local law enforcement to de-escalate while ramping up targeted removals. Beck used a chalkboard analogy: "Trump's like the chess master—Walz was in check from riots, Trump offers a pawn exchange: You let Homan in, I hold off the military. Boom—checkmate for the radicals." Homan's track record, as acting ICE Director under Trump's first term, includes overseeing record deportations of criminal aliens, reducing border chaos. "This isn't aggression," Beck said. "It's compassion for American families tired of drugs and crime spilling over."


Conservatives can learn from this: Negotiation from strength turns adversaries into allies. Trump's approach mirrors Reagan's dealings with Gorbachev—firm but pragmatic. In Catholic terms, it's prudence in action, as St. Thomas Aquinas teaches in the Summa Theologica: leaders must use reason to achieve the common good. By avoiding escalation, Trump protected lives while advancing security—a model for conservatives in local politics.


Broader Lessons: From Chaos to Conservative Renewal

The Minneapolis riots and Trump's deal aren't isolated; Beck wove them into a narrative of America's "breaking point," warning of a "new Axis" (China, Iran, radicals at home) testing U.S. resolve. He played clips from his interview with Homan, where the border czar described Minneapolis as "a battlefield" due to non-cooperation. For conservatives, this reinforces that strong borders are essential to national sovereignty, linking to rising crime stats from the FBI (20% increase in fentanyl deaths in Minnesota since 2024).

To learn from this, study history: The 1968 riots weakened America—today, we must not repeat it. Read Trump's The Art of the Deal for tactics; explore the Insurrection Act (used by Eisenhower in 1957) for federal powers; and reflect on CCC 2241 for balanced immigration views. Beck urged: "Don't take my word—grab the chalkboard, connect the dots yourself."

Emotionally, Beck recounted stories of Venezuelan refugees in Minneapolis, fleeing Maduro's regime. "This is why the deal matters," he said. "It's not politics—it's people." In a divided time, Trump's leadership offers hope: conservatives must pray, act, and vote to preserve our republic.



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