The week ended with Minnesota’s immigration surge winding down, a proposed voter ID order, and a lapse in Homeland Security funding.
Dante Belcher
Feb 16, 2026
Trump’s 56th week ended with updates to Minnesota, immigration and voting rights. Border Czar Tom Homan announced the end of “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota, raising implications following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti—both U.S. citizens—in Minneapolis. This comes as an ongoing partial government shutdown began Saturday, causing a lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as anti-immigrant sentiment continues. Meanwhile, the State Department ordered certain public libraries to cease processing passport applications.
Trump later threatened to issue an executive order requiring voter ID for the midterm elections, raising implications following a previous report from The Introspective detailing an executive order requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
Immigration and DHS Funding
Border Czar Tom Homan announced the end of “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota, more than a month after the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” said Homan.
However, Homan said immigration efforts will continue.
“President Trump made a promise of mass deportation, and that’s what this country is going to get,” he said.
This comes after 700 federal agents were removed from the region after 4,000 people were arrested in the operation.
“The surge is leaving Minnesota safer,” he added.
“I’ll say it again: It’s less of a sanctuary state for criminals.”
In a post on X, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the “long road to recovery starts now.”
“The impact on our economy, our schools and people’s lives won’t be reversed overnight,” he wrote.
“That work starts today.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called those protesting “patriots.”
“They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation,” he wrote.
“These patriots of Minneapolis are showing that it’s not just about resistance — standing with our neighbors is deeply American.”
DHS funding later lapsed Saturday following a partial government shutdown.
Meanwhile, the State Department ordered certain public libraries to cease processing passport applications.
“We still get calls daily seeking that service,” said Cathleen Special, executive director of the Otis Library in Connecticut, to PBS News.
“Our community was so used to us offering this.”
A State Department spokesperson later said federal law “clearly prohibit non-governmental organizations” from collecting and retaining fees regarding passport applications, potentially affecting 15% of public libraries nationwide.
Voter ID
Following an executive order requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, Trump threatened to issue an executive order requiring voter ID for the midterm elections.
“There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not!” he wrote to Truth Social.
“Also, the People of our Country are insisting on Citizenship, and No Mail-In Ballots, with exceptions for Military, Disability, Illness, or Travel.”
In a separate post, Trump called Democrats “disingenuous cheaters” while using transphobic language.
“We cannot let the Democrats get away with NO VOTER I.D. any longer,” he wrote.
“They have all sorts of reasons why it shouldn’t be passed, and then boldly laugh in the backrooms after their ridiculous presentations.”
This comes after the House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote in elections, expanding upon the previous executive order.
“The SAVE Act is not a mainstream bill whatsoever. It’s a fringe piece of legislation that has now taken over the Republican Party, masquerading as election security when it’s really about laying the groundwork to meddle in the midterm elections and make it much harder for people to vote,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling it “dead on arrival.”
The Introspective 
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