White House border czar Tom Homan rebuffed speculation that the administration is retreating on deporting illegal immigrants in the midst of conversations with Democratic officials in Minnesota.

Speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Homan said that President Donald Trump is currently seeking “to de-escalate the situation and to set the record straight” on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

The comment appeared to be in reference to protests in Minneapolis over two protesters were shot and killed by federal agents in the city last month. Trump said he sent Homan to the city to speak to state and local officials.

“My staff said they’ve seen a lot of people saying President Trump’s backing off on his promise of mass deportation,” Homan said. “That’s just untrue. My message up there was the same message it’s been since Jan. 20, when President Trump took the Oval Office.”

He added: “We’re going to have a mass deportation, but we’re going to prioritize the arrests of criminals and public safety threats. I said from day one, if you’re in the country illegally, you’re not off the table.”

A Border Patrol agent shot and killed protester Alex Pretti last weekend, prompting outcry from local officials and led to Trump and Homan speaking with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats.

Last week, Homan told a news conference that in conversations with the two, “we all agree that we need to support our law enforcement officers and get criminals off the streets.” Meanwhile, Trump told reporters on Jan. 27, “ We’re going to de-escalate a little bit” in Minnesota.

Homan’s remarks were made after Trump wrote on social media Saturday that he directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem not to intervene in protests occurring in cities led by Democrats unless local authorities ask for federal help.

“Under no circumstances are we going to participate in various poorly run Democrat Cities with regard to their Protests and/or Riots unless, and until, they ask us for help,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He added in the lengthy post that officials will guard “any and all Federal Buildings that are being attacked by these highly paid Lunatics, Agitators, and Insurrectionists.”

The Trump administration has deployed the National Guard, or federal law enforcement officials, in a number of Democrat-run areas, including Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon.

Trump told reporters on Saturday night en route to Florida that protesters who “do anything bad” to immigration officers and other federal law enforcement “will get taken care of in at least an equal way.”

Many Democratic officials and politicians have been critical of the Trump administration’s immigration efforts, namely after the shooting of Pretti and another protester, Renee Good, in Minneapolis. Since the administration sent agents to Minneapolis, Frey and Walz have repeatedly said the operation is illegal and must cease.

“I met with U.S. Senate and House Democratic leaders in D.C. on Thursday,” Frey wrote in a post on X that included a photo of himself and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). “There’s broad consensus: how ICE is operating in Minneapolis is wrong and needs to stop. It’ll take all of us — local to federal — pushing for change. Proud to stand with so many leaders on this.”

Noem and DHS have said that immigration agents have faced an unprecedented increase in threats and assaults since Trump assumed office. In a news release last week, DHS accused Democratic officials of using inflammatory rhetoric that has led to a 1,300 percent increase in assaults against ICE agents and a 3,200 percent surge in vehicular attacks year-over-year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.