Trump Administration Faces Scrutiny Over Minneapolis Immigration Policies, Treasury Secretary Clashes with Congress
Washington D.C. - The Trump administration faced increasing scrutiny on multiple fronts Tuesday, February 4, 2026, as its immigration policies in Minneapolis came under fire and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clashed with Congress over economic policy. The Justice Department's actions in Minneapolis were called into question, while a heated exchange between Bessent and Representative Maxine Waters highlighted divisions over the impact of tariffs.
The Trump administration announced it would remove 700 federal immigration agents from Minneapolis, according to Vox. However, the news outlet noted that there were few signs of the crackdown letting up. This development followed criticism of the administration's handling of immigration enforcement in the city.
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, a House Financial Services Committee hearing turned contentious as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified on inflation and housing costs. Fortune reported that Bessent clashed with Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) over President Trump's tariff policies. The confrontation escalated when Waters repeatedly silenced Bessent, stating, "You don't get to talk," as he attempted to respond to her questions. Waters questioned what she characterized as an evolution in Bessent's economic philosophy regarding tariffs, asking if he had previously warned hedge fund investors that "tariffs are inflationary."
Vox also reported on the state of the Justice Department, asserting that "Trump’s occupation of Minneapolis has broken the Justice Department," further claiming that the DOJ "is no longer capable of doing its job." The article alluded to the immense pressure and strain the administration's policies have placed on the department. The article included a quote from a lawyer representing the Trump administration who said, "I wish you would just hold me in contempt of court so I can get 24 hours of sleep."
These events occurred amidst other news developments, including "The Daily Show" skewering California Governor Gavin Newsom for a sex scandal and failures to address homelessness and high-speed rail, according to Variety. The same outlet also reported that "Hunger Games" star Sam Claflin said shirtless scenes led to body dysmorphia.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment