Vice President JD Vance defended the administration's immigration operation in the Twin Cities yesterday amid growing public backlash over ICE's presence and tactics.

The big picture: Tensions in the Twin Cities increased even more when the Justice Department arrested civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and several other local activists for protesting a St. Paul church service over a pastor's ties to ICE.

• U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the arrests show that the government won't "tolerate attacks on places of worship," while Levy Armstrong's attorney called the move "political persecution" and a "farce."

What he's saying: Vance said the goal of his visit was to understand how to "tone down the temperature a little bit" and "reduce the chaos" while allowing the federal government to continue enforcing immigration laws.

• He blamed a lack of cooperation from state and local officials and "left-wing agitators" for making agents' jobs more difficult and letting things get "so out of hand."

Friction point: Critics argue that the administration's decision to deploy thousands of federal agents to the metro — vastly outnumbering local police — and agents' own conduct are driving the chaos.

• They point to aggressive tactics against demonstrators, including the use of chemical agents, and growing reports of racial profiling and lawful residents being swept up in the crackdown.

Vance said while he'd "love to send these guys home," the surge in federal agents is necessary to maintain order while other ICE officials conduct immigration enforcement.

• He suggested local officials and law enforcement could help things go more smoothly by sharing data that helps agents track down people with criminal records.

In response to questions from reporters, Vance said the administration takes allegations of racial profiling "very seriously" but dismissed media reports that have sparked outrage — such as this week's detention of a 5-year-old asylum seeker — as missing context or "at best partially true."

• He argued that agents only use tactics like tear gas when "violence is committed against officers."

Reality check: Many of the Trump administration's own claims during the operation have been disputed by local officials, video footage and public records.

• Just yesterday, Minnesota's prisons chief accused federal officials of repeatedly spreading misinformation about the state's role in turning over undocumented individuals in their custody.
• Wrongful detention petitions have also skyrocketed since the surge began.

Between the lines: Vance also claimed that Minneapolis has "the highest concentration of people who have violated our immigration laws," even though data shows other states have far more undocumented residents.

Zoom out: Vance's visit came amid a decline in public support for the administration's immigration crackdown.

• A New York Times poll released yesterday found that 61% of voters — and 71% of independents — say ICE has "gone too far" with its tactics.

What's next: Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino said yesterday they're "not going to put a date or timeline" on scaling back the operation.

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🗳️ Amy Klobuchar has filed fundraising paperwork for her expected run for Minnesota governor. (Axios)

• A source close to the senator told Axios that she'll announce her plans in the coming days.

🚨 The Minnesota BCA says federal officials won't allow state investigators to interview the agent who shot a North Minneapolis man in the leg on Jan. 14. (KSTP)

• A recent Star Tribune report revealed that federal agents had mistaken the identity of the man who was shot following a 15-20 minute pursuit.
• He has no criminal record in Minnesota, though DHS said the Venezuelan national illegally entered the country.

⚾️ Old friend Taylor Rogers, who pitched for the Twins from 2016 to 2021, is back on the team with a 1-year, $2 million deal. (The Athletic)

🎯 Target added former executives from Nike and Hanes to its board of directors as incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke has placed an emphasis on style. (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)

🏍️ Polaris will close its Osceola, Wisconsin plant by the end of the year, eliminating 200 jobs. (Star Tribune)

If you're reading this in a warm bed, you should stay there... unless you want to get a face full of the coldest air to grace the Twin Cities since 2019.

By the numbers: Nothing is official yet, but NWS had MSP at -19 in the wee hours of the morning. Wind chills were around -40.

• It hasn't been that cold since late January 2019, when the mercury fell into the -20s three days in a row, including -28 on Jan. 30.

What we're dreading: There's not a high temperature above 15 in the forecast for the next week.

It'll be so cold in Minnesota that trees might explode…

• Or so certain click-hungry online meteorologists would have you believe.

Between the lines: This level of extreme cold can cause a tree's bark to crack open, or its limbs to snap off — often with a gunshot-like bang, USA Today reported.

• That's because tree sap expands when it freezes, putting pressure on the tree's insides.

Reality check: Trees blowing up "like there's gonna be a freakin' Michael Bay movie in these woods" is unlikely, KSTP's Matt Serwe clapped back on Instagram.

• It's not that trees don't explode — they're just rare, experts told WBAY-TV.

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Five years ago Sunday, we launched Axios Twin Cities.

Flashback: Nick was in Florida on a long-planned family vacation, so Torey wrote the first newsletter solo. Above is the text exchange the two had after she hit send.

That first edition's top story was about whether Mike Lindell would run for governor.

• Torey texted Nick from Minneapolis to say that the entire state was covered in ice.

Here we are, five years later and Lindell is running for governor and Minnesota is again covered in ice.

• Except now we have Audrey (who joined a few months later) and Kyle (who joined in 2023).

The bottom line: Those positive emails still come, and we appreciate the support!

• And Nick still blames Torey for any mistakes.