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It’s been a horrible 12 months since Donald Trump’s return. But for me, the greatest frustration is not just the cascade of outrageous actions taken by Trump. It’s the failure of almost anybody to stand up to him.

Not one Republican senator was willing to cross him. A couple made negative comments, but quickly folded. Not one Republican member of the House. Not the Supreme Court. Not one major business or media leader. They folded faster than politicians. Not even most Democrats. Example: It wasn’t Democrats who sued to block construction of Trump’s gigantic ballroom, it was the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

But now, finally, we’ve found one group willing to defy Trump: the brave people of Minneapolis. They not only stood up to Trump, they forced him to back down. And they’ve taught the world a powerful lesson.

It’s not the first time Minneapolis residents have shown their power. Five years ago, after the murder of George Floyd, they launched “Black Lives Matter” protests which swept the country and the globe.

In many ways, what’s happening now in Minneapolis is even worse. Because this is not a random act by four local policemen. This is part of President Trump’s organized crackdown on illegal immigration, including refugees who followed all the rules.

Under Trump’s orders, thousands of masked and assault-weapon carrying ICE agents invaded and terrorized Minneapolis with tactics like Hitler’s storm troopers: stopping American citizens in the streets and demanding their papers; breaking into homes with no arrest warrants; pepper-spraying protesters; marching a grandfather out of his home in freezing weather wearing nothing but boxers and clogs and wrapped in a blanket; detaining a 5-year-old boy and whisking him off with his father to a Texas detention center; and shooting three people in the last weeks: Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis (shot in the leg, but survived); and Renee Nicole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti, two American citizens, murdered in cold blood.

Trump and his cronies did everything they could to defend ICE agents and shut down the protests. They accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of “inciting Insurrection.” Trump falsely accused Good of “running over an ICE agent,” when the video clearly showed her simply trying to drive away. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino falsely charged Pretti with “brandishing his weapon” against ICE officers, when the video clearly shows him holding a cellphone, not a gun. Trump immigration hardliner Stephen Miller called them both “domestic terrorists.” And, make-up artist always close at hand, feckless DHS Secretary Kristi Noem orchestrated the entire, shameful, response.

But the good people of Minneapolis didn’t stand down. They stood up even stronger in acts of bravery and kindness. They represent the best of America. They continued to turn out in freezing cold to protest the presence of federal troops in the street and protect immigrants. They delivered groceries to immigrants afraid to leave their homes. They walked kids to school so their parents wouldn’t have to risk getting swooped up and deported. They surrounded local churches on Sunday morning so neighbors could worship without fear of an ICE invasion.

In effect, Minneapolis became a made-for-TV drama: “The People v. Donald Trump.” And here’s the best part: THE PEOPLE WON!

OK, it’s not a total victory – yet. This madness is far from over. ICE agents are still conducting operations. Trump will never admit he was wrong, but he did call Walz in an attempt to “de-escalate” the crisis. Greg Bovino’s thrown out of town. Kristi Noem’s no longer in charge. Even a couple of Republican senators have said she should resign or be fired. There’s a long way to go before Minneapolis is free of federal troops. Until then, protests will continue.

But the fact is: the people of Minneapolis didn’t back down. Donald Trump backed down. And therein lies a powerful lesson for every Republican and Democratic politician, every citizen of the United States and every foreign leader: You don’t have to cave in to Donald Trump. You can stand up to this bully – and win. We can thank the good people of Minneapolis for showing us how to do it. “Minnesota Nice” is now “Minnesota Strong.”

And here’s the best way to show our thanks. This week, the editors of The Nation magazine officially nominated the city of Minneapolis and its people for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. Nobody deserves it more. And you can be sure of one thing: When they win it, they won’t give it to Donald Trump.

(Bill Press is host of The BillPressPod, and author of 10 books, including: “From the Left: My Life in the Crossfire.” His email address is: bill@billpress.com. Readers may also follow him on Twitter @billpresspod and on BlueSky @BillPress.bsky.social.)

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