Former Minnesota Vikings captain and University of Minnesota football standout Jack Brewer ripped Minneapolis leaders this week, accusing city officials of shielding illegal migrant “thugs” and claiming Democrats only oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement because deportations are costing them political support.
“There is something wrong in Minneapolis. We need a city-wide behavioral health assessment. People have completely lost reality,” Brewer told Fox News Digital.
The former Golden Gophers defensive back said violent demonstrations in the city have spiraled out of control and called for a heavy federal response.
“I hope President Trump sends in the National Guard. We need curfews. We need real consequences for attacking law enforcement. These men and women should be able to do their jobs and go home to their families safely,” Brewer said.
Brewer, who played safety in the NFL with the Vikings, Giants, Eagles, and Cardinals from 2002 to 2006, argued that immigration enforcement has become a political flashpoint because of its impact on Democratic voting blocs.
“We’re deporting their voters. That’s part of what’s happening, and it’s blowing up their whole plan,” he said.
Despite once being embraced by Minneapolis leadership, Brewer said the city has veered sharply off course. He was presented with the key to the city in 2018 by Mayor Jacob Frey.
Brewer at a Trump rally
Brewer sharply criticized what he described as an open-border approach embraced by Democrats in recent years.
“You can’t allow people to come into your country who don’t carry the same morals and values that you do. That’s what’s happening,” said Brewer, who visited Guatemala in February 2025 to meet illegal migrant families deported from the U.S.
He said migrants from third-world countries bring with them values and behaviors that clash with American culture.
“Minneapolis is protecting these thugs. It’s unbelievable. These people are demonic. I’ve done work in third-world countries for 25 years. The values are not the same,” Brewer said.
“You cannot let people come into the United States who come from cultures like that, because they bring their culture with them. That’s what’s happening,” he added, while directly attacking Frey.
“I wish I could lock the doors on that city and not let him back in if I had the power. What he has done is absolutely ridiculous. He tap-dances for Somalis. He does anything to go against the culture of America and Christianity for them,” Brewer said.
Brewer began his college football career at Southern Methodist University, where he was a freshman All-American candidate, before transferring to Minnesota.
Since retiring from football, Brewer has moved into finance and philanthropy. He joined Merrill Lynch as a wealth manager and later founded The Brewer Group, which manages investments in education, health care and technology.
He also launched the Jack Brewer Foundation in 2006, focusing on disaster relief, prison ministry and programs aimed at combating fatherlessness.
Brewer currently serves as chair of the Center for Opportunity Now and vice chair of the Center for 1776 at the America First Policy Institute. He has also held advisory roles with the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.
