By Amanda Castro and Hannah Parry
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has announced that federal immigration agents will begin leaving his city from tomorrow, after his call with President Donald Trump. Frey spoke with Trump on the phone on Monday to discuss ending the federal crackdown and resulting unrest in the city. Trump "agreed that the present situation cannot continue," Frey said in a statement. "Some federal agents will begin leaving the area tomorrow, and I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go. Minneapolis will continue to cooperate with state and federal law enforcement on real criminal investigations — but we will not participate in unconstitutional arrests of our neighbors or enforce federal immigration law." The mayor's comments come after Trump said he'd had a "very good telephone conversation' with him where "lots of progress" was made. Earlier Monday, Trump said that he and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appear to be on the same page, after they also had a phone call.
Trump also said his administration is “reviewing everything” about the fatal shooting of nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis, the second deadly encounter with a federal officer in the city this month. His remarks underscore the growing scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics and the political fallout now reaching Congress.
What to Know:
- Trump told reporters the administration is “reviewing everything” tied to Pretti’s death.
- Gov. Tim Walz blamed “untrained” federal agents for the shooting.
- Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino said protesters and local officials “vilified” agents, calling the incident a “preventable tragedy.”
- Eyewitness videos contradict DHS’s account of events.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that all video evidence will be analyzed.
- More than 100 lawmakers now back an impeachment resolution against Noem.
- Senate Democrats threaten to block DHS funding, raising risk of a government shutdown.
- Trump announced Monday that White House “border czar” Tom Homan will oversee immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
Jan 26, 2026 at 08:08 PM EST
Judge sets deadline for Trump admin to provide more information on Minnesota immigration operation
U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez issued the Trump administration a deadline for it to provide more information on Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota.
Menendez has ordered the federal government to rebut, in writing, the state's claim that the immigration operation was aimed at punishing Minnesota for being a sanctuary city.
The judge has give the administration until 6 p.m. Wednesday to respond.
Jan 26, 2026 at 08:06 PM EST
Ted Cruz calls for investigation into Minneapolis shooting
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said Monday that the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis warrants a full investigation.
“Anytime there’s a fatal encounter with law enforcement, there’s cause for mourning and grief,” Cruz wrote on X. He contrasted the incident with his home state, saying, “We’re not seeing encounters like this in states like Texas.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:53 PM EST
Republicans welcome Homan’s role in Minnesota immigration operations
Republican lawmakers are expressing quiet relief that border czar Tom Homan will take charge of immigration enforcement in Minnesota, according to sources familiar with internal discussions.
“He knows what he’s doing. He gets it,” one GOP lawmaker said, describing Homan as experienced in running enforcement operations “the correct way.” Homan, a longtime border official, has decades of law enforcement service and was a vocal defender of some of the Trump administration’s most controversial immigration policies. Allies nonetheless view him as a stabilizing figure.
Lawmakers have been pressing the White House for weeks to sharpen its messaging on immigration, warning that while they support President Donald Trump’s crackdown, the administration has struggled to present a coherent plan to the public.
On the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Republican advisers cautioned against rushing to judgment. “I think everyone wants a transparent and independent investigation,” one lawmaker said, adding that the White House appears to be hearing that concern.
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:39 PM EST
Minnesota guard offers aid to protesters amid ICE demonstrations
Members of the Minnesota National Guard distributed coffee, hot chocolate, donuts and hand warmers to protesters outside the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis on Sunday, as subzero temperatures gripped the city.
A guardsman told WCCO that the gesture was meant as a “demonstration of safety and security and that they’re here to help.” Guardsmen wore reflective yellow vests to distinguish themselves from other agencies on the scene.
In a statement, the Guard emphasized that its members “live, work, and serve in our state” and are committed to protecting life, preserving property, and ensuring Minnesotans can safely exercise their First Amendment rights.
The Whipple Federal Building has become a focal point for demonstrations against the federal immigration surge, with detainees held inside after being taken into custody by ICE agents. Gov. Tim Walz activated the Guard to assist Hennepin County law enforcement and provide backup to Minneapolis police during the ongoing protests.
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:33 PM EST
Alex Pretti’s sister slams Trump administration for ‘disgusting lies’ told about her brother
The sister of Alex Pretti, who was killed by an ICE agent on Saturday, has slammed the Trump administration for spreading "disgusting lies" about her older brother.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called Pretti, an intense care nurse at a VA hospital, a "domestic terrorist" after the shooting, while Stephen Miller referred to him as an "assassin."
“All Alex ever wanted was to help someone — anyone,” Micayla Pretti said in a Monday statement. “Even in his very last moments on this earth, he was simply trying to do just that.”
“When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough?” she asked. “Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:26 PM EST
Democrats split on DHS funding ahead of shutdown deadline
Seven Senate Democrats who previously sided with Republicans to reopen the government last year now say they will oppose a funding package if it includes money for the Department of Homeland Security without reforms.
Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Angus King of Vermont, and Tim Kaine of Virginia have all signaled they will vote against the measure this week, citing fatal shootings in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents.
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania broke with the group, saying he supports ending the Trump administration’s operation in Minneapolis but opposes calls to defund or abolish ICE. “I strongly disagree with many strategies and practices ICE deployed in Minneapolis, and believe that must change,” Fetterman wrote on X, adding he favors a debate on DHS appropriations rather than a shutdown.
Congress faces a Friday night deadline to pass a funding bill and avert a partial government shutdown.
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:13 PM EST
Who was Alex Pretti?
Loved ones of Alex Pretti gathered over the weekend to honor his life, describing him as a calm presence in crisis, a mentor to younger colleagues, and a man who cherished Minnesota’s outdoors. Pretti, a 37‑year‑old intensive‑care nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was fatally shot by immigration agents Saturday in a confrontation that has drawn national scrutiny.
Family, friends and co‑workers shared photos of Pretti in scrubs, on his mountain bike, and performing at his high school graduation, recalling his generosity and patience. They rejected federal officials’ portrayal of him as a “would‑be assassin,” calling the accusations baseless and deeply hurtful.
Gov. Tim Walz said he spoke with Pretti’s parents, who described their son as someone who lived “a life of generosity” and cared deeply for veterans. Colleagues remembered him as a reliable nurse who guided others through the stress of the ICU, while friends from Wisconsin recalled his kindness and integrity dating back to school days.
Neighbors held a candlelight vigil outside his apartment, and protesters in Minneapolis demanded accountability. “He was a really good friend, and a really good man,” said Heather Zielinski, who knew Pretti for more than a decade.
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Jan 26, 2026 at 07:10 PM EST
Appeals court declines to reimpose restrictions on federal agents in Minnesota
A federal appeals court on Monday has declined to reimpose restrictions on federal agents in Minnesota.
The three-judge panel, made up of two George W. Bush appointees and one Trump appointee, said that it would continue to block the district judge's injunction that restricted agents' interactions with protesters, because they believed it was “too broad” and “too vague.”
“A wrong call could end in contempt, yet there is little in the order that constrains the district court’s power to impose it,” the panel wrote in its unsigned opinion.
Jan 26, 2026 at 06:59 PM EST
Ellison says state made strong case to halt ICE surge
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed confidence Monday that his office presented a compelling argument for blocking the federal government’s immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities.
Speaking to reporters after a U.S. District Court hearing, Ellison said Minnesota has “every right to have our own laws, have our own policies,” and accused the Trump administration of trying to “flood us, threaten us with retribution, and coerce the state of Minnesota into complying with Trump policy.”
The lawsuit, filed by the state along with Minneapolis and St. Paul, seeks a temporary restraining order to stop Operation Metro Surge while the case proceeds.
Ellison invoked the recent deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis this month, as emblematic of the harm caused by the crackdown. He also cited residents who have faced racial profiling, unfair detentions, and shuttered businesses amid the heightened enforcement.
Judge Kate Menendez did not issue a ruling from the bench, and it remains unclear when she will decide on the request.
Jan 26, 2026 at 06:51 PM EST
Minneapolis shooting: Who was Alex Pretti?
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was a 37-year-old VA ICU nurse fatally shot by Border Patrol agents Saturday morning during a federal immigration enforcement operation on Minneapolis's Eat Street near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.
The shooting sparked immediate outrage from Minneapolis city officials and residents, prompting Gov. Tim Walz to deploy Minnesota National Guard members to secure the shooting site and the Whipple Federal Building, a known immigration authority staging area.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey requested the National Guard deployment, citing local law enforcement resources stretched thin by thousands of federal immigration agents operating in the city.
Jan 26, 2026 at 06:45 PM EST
WATCH: Community gathers for Alex Pretti vigil in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jan 26, 2026 at 06:36 PM EST
Difference between Border Patrol and ICE
Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are both federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security but serve distinct functions.
Border Patrol primarily secures U.S. borders and prevents illegal entry between ports of entry.
ICE focuses on interior immigration enforcement, including identifying, apprehending, and removing undocumented immigrants already inside the United States.
Operation Metro Surge has deployed both Border Patrol agents and ICE officers to Minneapolis, with Border Patrol taking a prominent enforcement role under Bovino's command.
The operational overlap has contributed to tensions with local authorities who traditionally coordinate with ICE on immigration matters within city limits.
Jan 26, 2026 at 06:31 PM EST
White House signals CBP could scale back in Minnesota
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday the administration may reduce the deployment of Customs and Border Protection officers in Minnesota if state leaders agree to cooperate more closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
President Donald Trump has pressed Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to “turn over” all undocumented immigrants held in state custody to federal authorities. Leavitt told reporters that if those “commonsense cooperative measures” are adopted, CBP would no longer be needed to bolster ICE operations in the state.
She added that ICE and local law enforcement could then “peacefully work together as they are effectively doing in so many other states and jurisdictions to remove violent criminals from American neighborhoods.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 06:18 PM EST
Who is Greg Bovino?
Bovino is a nearly 30-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol who currently serves as Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector in Southern California.
He began his career on November 17, 1996, and has held various leadership positions including roles in BORTAC, Border Patrol's specialized elite tactical unit. Bovino was promoted to Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector in April 2020, overseeing operations across Imperial and San Diego counties and desert areas of California and Arizona.
He became the public face of Operation Metro Surge, leading highly visible federal crackdowns across Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Minneapolis.
His aggressive enforcement tactics have drawn both praise from supporters and fierce criticism from local officials, civil rights advocates, and congressional Democrats.
Bovino has faced legal challenges over allegations his agents violated court orders by deploying tear gas during operations, and he testified before Congress in July 2023 about border conditions.
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Jan 26, 2026 at 06:18 PM EST
Sanders praises a Republican for taking a stand in Minnesota
Senator Bernie Sanders commended a Republican for dropping out the Minnesota gubernatorial race over the ICE operation.
Jan 26, 2026 at 06:05 PM EST
Minnesota’s attorney general warns judge’s decision on immigration crackdown will have ‘great ramifications’ for US
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says a federal judge’s decision on whether to halt the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the state will have "great ramifications" for the rest of the U.S.
“This decision is extremely important to the sovereignty of every single state,” Ellison told reporters after the hearing before U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ended on Monday. She issued no immediate ruling.
State and Twin Cities officials have asked Menendez to order a temporary halt to the crackdown while the full lawsuit against the federal immigration operations continues through the court.
“We’re asking for preliminary relief,” he said. “The case will go on. But what is decided in Minnesota, overall, this case, and everything that we’re doing to try to protect our state, has great ramifications for the rest of the country.”
Ellison added that, even if Menendez's ruling did not go their way, "We’re never going to stop defending Minnesota."
"If things go our way, great. If they don’t, we’re right back to the drawing board,” Ellison said. “The moment will never arrive when we stop fighting for this state. Full stop," he said.
Jan 26, 2026 at 05:58 PM EST
Minneapolis mayor says federal agents to begin leaving city tomorrow, after Trump call
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has announced that federal immigration agents will begin leaving his city from tomorrow, after his call with President Donald Trump.
Frey spoke with Trump on the phone on Monday to discuss ending the federal crackdown and resulting unrest in the city. Trump "agreed that the present situation cannot continue," Frey said in a statement.
"Some federal agents will begin leaving the area tomorrow, and I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go. Minneapolis will continue to cooperate with state and federal law enforcement on real criminal investigations — but we will not participate in unconstitutional arrests of our neighbors or enforce federal immigration law." The mayor's comments come after Trump said he'd had a "very good telephone conversation' with him where "lots of progress" was made.
Jan 26, 2026 at 05:51 PM EST
WATCH: Moment community gathers for Alex Pretti vigil
Jan 26, 2026 at 05:43 PM EST
Trump says ‘lots of progress is being made’ after calls with Mayor Frey, Gov, Walz
President Donald Trump has praised his "very good telephone conversation" with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
"Lots of progress is being made!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Tom Homan will be meeting with him tomorrow in order to continue the discussion."
Trump also held a phone call with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Monday after which he said that they appear to be on the same page about immigration enforcement.
Jan 26, 2026 at 05:38 PM EST
Texas governor: Trump administration must ‘recalibrate’ ICE efforts in Minnesota
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said on Monday that the Trump administration needed to “recalibrate” its United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts in Minnesota.
Abbott, who has typically been a vocal proponent of Trump's immigration crackdown, told conservative radio host Mark Davis that he believes the White House is working on a new "game plan" which would cause less of the issues than the current approach.
He said he thought the plan would cause agents to “go about their job in a more structured way to make sure that they are going to be able to remove these people, but without causing all the kinds of problems and fighting in communities that they are experiencing right now.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 05:24 PM EST
Ellison says ice surge crossed line into ‘retribution’
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warned Monday that the federal government’s immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities has strayed beyond legitimate enforcement.
Speaking at a news conference after an hours‑long court hearing, Ellison said the operation crossed a constitutional boundary once it became about “retribution.”
“This decision is extremely important for the sovereignty of every single state,” Ellison added, underscoring the broader stakes of Minnesota’s lawsuit seeking to block Operation Metro Surge.
Jan 26, 2026 at 05:23 PM EST
Greg Bovino and Border Patrol agents expected to leave Minneapolis
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino and some agents are expected to leave Minneapolis as early as Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The departure comes as President Donald Trump dispatched Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to take charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Bovino has been at the center of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement surge in cities nationwide, making his withdrawal a significant shift in federal law enforcement posture amid mounting outrage over the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents on Saturday.
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via email on Monday for comment.
Read in full: Greg Bovino and Border Patrol Agents Expected to Leave Minneapolis
Jan 26, 2026 at 05:09 PM EST
Schumer presses Thune to split DHS bill as shutdown looms
With a government funding deadline approaching Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is urging Majority Leader John Thune to separate the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill from the broader spending package.
“If Leader Thune puts those five bills on the floor this week, we can pass them right away,” Schumer said in a statement. “If not, Republicans will again be responsible for another government shutdown.”
The DHS measure, which includes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has become the most contentious element of the package. Under Senate rules, all 100 senators would need to agree to split it off. If even one objects, the bill remains tied to the others, raising the risk of a partial shutdown.
Jan 26, 2026 at 04:54 PM EST
Hollywood stars rally against ICE after Pretti shooting
The fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti has sparked a wave of celebrity outrage, with prominent figures in Hollywood using their platforms to support anti‑ICE protesters in Minnesota.
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo called the agency’s actions “unconscionable” and urged followers to stand with Minnesota, while actor Mark Ruffalo described the killing as “cold‑blooded murder in the streets of the USA by an occupying military gang.”
Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis amplified coverage of the protests on Instagram, sharing artwork of Pretti and Renee Good with the caption: “THESE WERE AMERICANS! SHOT BY OUR GOVERNMENT.”
At the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, stars wore “ICE OUT” pins in solidarity, while Billie Eilish criticized fellow entertainers for not speaking loudly enough. Her brother and collaborator Finneas also posted about the shootings, continuing his activism against ICE.
Jan 26, 2026 at 04:39 PM EST
Minnesota has quickly rejected Pam Bondi’s request for the state’s voter rolls:
Minnesota officials have rejected Attorney General Pam Bondi's demands to access the state’s voter registration records as part of a broader set of directives sent to Gov. Tim Walz. The request arrived on the same day federal agents fatally shot Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
Bondi’s letter to Walz outlined three actions she said the state must take: repeal Minnesota’s “sanctuary” policies, release additional information tied to a fraud investigation involving social insurance programs, and hand over the state’s voter rolls to the Trump administration. Walz dismissed the demands, suggesting the attorney general focus instead on long‑awaited federal disclosures, including documents related to the Epstein case. His administration made clear that Minnesota had no intention of complying with what it viewed as politically motivated pressure.
Secretary of State Steve Simon issued the state’s most forceful response, calling Bondi’s request for voter data “an outrageous attempt to coerce Minnesota into giving the federal government private data on millions of U.S. citizens in violation of state and federal law.”
“It is deeply disturbing that the U.S. Attorney General would make this unlawful request a part of an apparent ransom to pay for our state’s peace and security. More broadly, the federal government must end the unprecedented and deadly occupation of our state immediately.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 04:24 PM EST
Mike Pence speaks out after Alex Pretti shooting—’Deeply troubling’
Mike Pence has called for a "full and transparent investigation " into the ICE shooting of Alex Pretti over the weekend, as he offered his prayers to his family and law enforcement in Minnesota.
"In the wake of the tragic shooting that claimed the life of Alex Pretti this weekend, our prayers are with his family, the citizens of Minneapolis and local, state and federal law enforcement officers serving there," he said in a post on X. "The images of this incident are deeply troubling and a full and transparent investigation of this officer involved shooting must take place immediately."
"The focus now should be to bring together law enforcement at every level to address the concerns in the community even while ensuring that dangerous illegal aliens are apprehended and no longer a threat to families in Minneapolis."
Trump's former vice president said that Americans deserve to have both safe streets, as well as having their "constitutional rights of Freedom of Speech, peaceable assembly and the right to keep and bear arms respected and preserved all at the same time."
"That’s how Law and Order and Freedom work together in America," he said.
Jan 26, 2026 at 04:13 PM EST
Minneapolis lawyer urges halt to ice surge after Pretti shooting
Sara Lathrop, an attorney for the city of Minneapolis, told a federal judge Monday that the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has created an “environment of fear” so severe it requires immediate judicial intervention.
Lathrop argued that the surge of federal agents under Operation Metro Surge is “so unprecedented, so intense” that it has destabilized the community. She pointed to the weekend shooting of Alex Pretti, who was shot in the back while restrained, as evidence that the situation has become “absolutely untenable.”
The city, along with the state of Minnesota and St. Paul, is seeking a temporary restraining order to block the federal operation, which has drawn mounting criticism following multiple deadly encounters.
Jan 26, 2026 at 04:07 PM EST
Thune praises Trump for sending Homan to Minnesota to turn ‘down the temperature’
Majority Senate Leader John Thune has praised President Donald Trump for sending border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota, which he said would hopefully lead to "turning down the temperature" in the state.
"This is a positive development — one that I hope leads to turning down the temperature and restoring order in Minnesota," Thune said in a post on X.
" I encourage local officials in Minnesota to work with the administration to keep communities safe and continue the important work of enforcing our laws and getting dangerous criminals off of America’s streets."
Jan 26, 2026 at 03:58 PM EST
DHS reviewing body camera footage from Minneapolis shooting
A Department of Homeland Security official confirmed that some Customs and Border Protection officers were equipped with body cameras during Saturday’s fatal incident in Minneapolis, and that footage from multiple angles exists.
Investigators are currently reviewing the recordings, the official told NewsNation. The availability of video evidence could play a central role in determining what happened during the confrontation, which has already sparked widespread criticism of federal immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota.
Jan 26, 2026 at 03:37 PM EST
Judge opens hearing on evidence in Pretti case
A federal judge in Minneapolis convened a hearing Monday on whether the Trump administration must cooperate with state and local investigators examining the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
The judge had issued a temporary order over the weekend barring federal agencies from destroying or altering evidence tied to the case. Investigators are now asking the court to require full cooperation from the Department of Homeland Security and related agencies.
Lawyers for the federal government said they are already preserving materials and conducting a thorough investigation. But their leaders publicly blamed Pretti for the confrontation, a narrative contradicted by video footage reviewed by multiple outlets.
Jan 26, 2026 at 03:30 PM EST
Border Patrol chief Bovino expected to leave Minneapolis amid fallout
Top Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and several of his agents are expected to depart Minneapolis Tuesday, according to sources familiar with internal discussions, sidelining a central figure in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
The move follows President Donald Trump’s announcement that border czar Tom Homan will take over management of ICE operations in the city after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. One official described Bovino’s departure as a “mutual decision.”
Administration officials were frustrated with how Bovino and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem handled the fallout from the shooting, sources said. Trump was reportedly displeased with the public response after spending hours watching coverage over the weekend. Bovino’s comments that Pretti intended to “massacre” agents, along with Noem’s labeling of him as a domestic terrorist, drew criticism after video evidence failed to support those claims.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday distanced the administration from the “domestic terrorist” label, saying it was not a position Trump had taken. She confirmed Homan would serve as the main point of contact in Minneapolis, while Bovino would continue leading Border Patrol nationally.
Jan 26, 2026 at 03:16 PM EST
Arradondo says trust in federal agents at ‘crisis’ point
Former Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo warned Monday that residents are losing faith in federal law enforcement amid the ongoing immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
“There’s a crisis right now of trust and credibility,” said Arradondo, who led the city’s police department during the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing in 2020.
Arradondo noted that Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to activate the Minnesota National Guard to assist local police was “helpful,” adding that state support has eased some of the strain on community policing.
Jan 26, 2026 at 03:02 PM EST
DOJ defends ICE surge in Minnesota as lawful enforcement
A Trump administration attorney argued Monday that the federal government’s deployment of immigration agents in Minnesota is aimed at enforcing the law, not coercing the state to change its policies.
Brantley Mayers of the Department of Justice told Judge Katherine Menendez that cooperation from local officials could reduce the need for “boots on the ground.” The hearing stems from a lawsuit filed by Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul seeking a temporary restraining order to halt Operation Metro Surge.
Menendez pressed Mayers on whether there is any legal limit to the number of agents the executive branch can send. “Would 10,000 ICE agents on the ground in the Twin Cities cross the line?” she asked. Mayers replied that he doubted courts could define “a judicially administrable line” for such deployments.
The judge also questioned President Trump’s January 13 online statement promising Minnesota a “day of reckoning & retribution.” Mayers countered that the president’s rhetoric did not undermine the legitimacy of federal enforcement authority.
Jan 26, 2026 at 02:48 PM EST
Who is Tom Homan? Refresher on Trump’s border czar heading to Minnesota
President Donald Trump is sending White House border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a move that has intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement.
Homan, a career law enforcement officer, served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement from 2017 to 2018 and became one of the administration’s most visible defenders of hardline immigration policies. He was a vocal proponent of family separations at the border and warned in 2017 that undocumented caregivers of migrant children could face arrest.
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He has long opposed “sanctuary city” policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. After leaving ICE, Homan contributed to Fox News and joined the Heritage Foundation, later becoming a supporter of Project 2025.
Homan’s career has also drawn controversy. In 2024, he was recorded accepting $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents in a sting operation. The Justice Department closed the investigation in 2025, citing insufficient evidence and noting he was not in government at the time. The White House dismissed the probe as politically motivated.
Trump designated Homan as “border czar” in 2024, and his deployment to Minnesota underscores the administration’s reliance on him to lead its most contentious immigration initiatives.
Jan 26, 2026 at 02:47 PM EST
Donald Trump gets reminder from Tim Walz in Minnesota protest call
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz reminded President Donald Trump during a call Monday that the state’s Department of Corrections already notifies federal authorities when inmates in its custody are not U.S. citizens and honors federal immigration detainers, NBC News' Natasha Korecki reported on X.
Korecki posted via Walz's office, "The Governor reminded President Trump that the Minnesota Department of Corrections already honors federal detainers by notifying Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a person committed to its custody isn’t a U.S. citizen. There is not a single documented case of the department’s releasing someone from state prison without offering to ensure a smooth transfer of custody."
Jan 26, 2026 at 02:42 PM EST
Trump tells Walz of path to allowing Border Patrol to leave Minnesota
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has revealed what President Donald Trump told Gov. Tim Walz to restore "law and order in Minnesota."
"He has outlined a clear and simple path to restoring law and order in Minnesota," Leavitt said. "Number one, Governor Walz, Mayor Frey and all Democrat leaders should turn over all criminal illegal aliens currently incarcerated in their prisons and jails to federal authorities along with any illegal aliens with active warrants or known criminal histories for immediate deportation.
"Number two, state and local law enforcement must agree to turn over all illegal aliens who are arrested by local police. And then thirdly, local police must assist federal law enforcement in apprehending and detaining illegal aliens who are wanted for crimes, especially violent crimes.
"If Governor Walz and Mayor Frey implement these commonsense, cooperative measures - that I will add, have already been implemented in nearly every single other state across the country - Customs and Border Patrol will not be needed to support ICE on the ground in Minnesota. ICE and local law enforcement can peacefully work together as they are effectively doing in so many other states and jurisdictions."
Jan 26, 2026 at 02:33 PM EST
Confusion mounts over Trump officials’ use of ‘domestic terrorism’ label in Pretti shooting
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Monday that the Trump administration was not applying the legal definition of domestic terrorism to the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, despite Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other officials having used the term.
Appearing on Fox & Friends, Blanche described the incident as “a very violent altercation” but cautioned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete. “I don’t think anybody thinks that they were comparing what happened on Saturday to the legal definition of domestic terrorism,” he said.
His remarks directly contradicted Noem, who on Saturday asserted Pretti’s actions met the statutory definition of domestic terrorism, claiming he arrived armed “to stop a law enforcement operation.” Hours later, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist” who “tried to assassinate federal law enforcement.”
Under U.S. law, domestic terrorism refers to acts dangerous to human life that violate criminal statutes and are intended to intimidate civilians or influence government conduct through violence.
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Jan 26, 2026 at 02:24 PM EST
Leavitt asked if Americans still have the right to protest, film ICE
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has said that Americans still "have First Amendment constitutional rights," when asked if people were still able to protest and film during ICE operations.
The questions follows the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, who was filming at a protest on Saturday when he was shot dead by ICE officers.
"All Americans have First Amendment constitutional rights of course," Leavitt responded. "But Americans do not have a constitutional right to impede and obstruct, lawful, immigration enforcement operations. That is actually a crime. And it's something that we've seen taking place in the streets of Minneapolis, which, again, is leading to these dangerous circumstances that these federal law enforcement officers."
Jan 26, 2026 at 02:20 PM EST
White House reaffirms confidence in Noem, sends Homan to Minnesota
The White House said Monday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem continues to have President Donald Trump’s “full trust and confidence,” even as Trump appointed border czar Tom Homan to oversee immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
“Secretary Noem will continue to lead the Department of Homeland Security with the full trust and confidence of the President,” a White House official told CNN. The official added that Homan is “uniquely positioned to drop everything and focus solely on Minnesota to solve the problems that have been created by a lack of cooperation from state and local officials.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 02:07 PM EST
Leavitt declines to answer whether Stephen Miller will apologize for labeling Pretti an ‘assassin’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to answer if Stephen Miller would apologize for posting on social media, without offering any evidence, that Alex Pretti was “an assassin” who “tried to murder federal agents,” following his fatal shooting.
Miller made the comments even as multiple federal agencies launch an investigation into the shooting.
"Again, this incident remains under investigation and nobody here at the White House, including the President of the United States, wants to see Americans hurt or killed and losing their lives in American streets," she added.
Jan 26, 2026 at 02:07 PM EST
Minnesota police chiefs call for meeting with Trump
The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association has requested a meeting with President Donald Trump amid safety concerns over his immigration crackdown.
“Communities across our state are experiencing heightened stress and uncertainty,” the group said in a post on X.
The group has also called for better dialogue between federal and state leaders to strengthen public safety and maintain trust in the state.
Jan 26, 2026 at 02:01 PM EST
Leavitt says she hasn’t heard Trump call Pretti a terrorist
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that she had “not heard the president characterize” Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis protester shot and killed by an ICE agent on Saturday, as a domestic terrorist.
Instead, Leavitt said she has “heard the president say he wants to get the facts on the investigation” of the shooting
Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem has labeled Pretti a "domestic terrorist," adding on Saturday, "Violence against a government because of ideological reasons and for reasons to resist and to perpetuate violence. That is the definition of domestic terrorism."
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:52 PM EST
FBI director says funders of anti-ICE groups identified
FBI Director Kash Patel announced that investigators have identified individuals and organizations allegedly financing left‑wing groups involved in clashes with immigration agents in Minnesota.
“This isn’t organic,” Patel said, according to a post amplified by commentator Benny Johnson. “We’ve made substantial progress. We’ve actually found groups and individuals responsible for funding it.”
Patel added that federal investigations into the funding networks remain ongoing, signaling that authorities intend to pursue those they believe are backing the protests.
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:45 PM EST
White House claims Democrat leaders are encouraging ‘left-wing agitators’
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has claimed that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other elected Democrats were "spreading lies about federal law enforcement officers" and used their platforms to "encourage left-wing agitators to stalk, record, confront, and obstruct" them.
"This is precisely what unfolded in Minneapolis on Saturday morning. Obstructing federal law enforcement and inciting violence against officers is wrong and illegal. This used to be a universally accepted position in the United States. Amid the hysteria, we must remember how we got here to this moment today and what this Democrat opposition is about, former President Joe Biden and the Democrats opened America's borders for four years, inviting tens of millions of illegal aliens from all over the world to flood into our country, among them violent criminals who terrorized American."
The Trump administration has repeatedly attempted to blame Democrat and Minnesota leaders for the response to the violent crackdown on immigration in the state, which has killed two protesters and injured many more.
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:38 PM EST
Trump doesn’t want anyone getting killed in America’s streets – including Good, Pretti, says White House
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that, "Nobody in the White House, including President Trump, wants to see people getting hurt or killed in America's streets."
"This includes Renee Good and Alex Pretti, the brave men and women of federal law enforcement and the many Americans who have been victimized at the hands of illegal alien criminals," she told reporters at the press briefing.
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:38 PM EST
HHS workers urge pause in immigration operations after Pretti killing
A coalition of current and former Health and Human Services employees is calling on Congress to suspend federal immigration activity following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti.
In a letter sent by the grassroots group Save HHS, the workers demanded that ICE and Customs and Border Protection halt what they described as the “invasion of American cities,” submit to independent investigations, and adopt policies consistent with the U.S. Constitution.
“As a Veterans Affairs nurse, Alex took the same oath we did: to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” the letter stated. “Like Alex, we are compelled to speak out against threats to our nation.”
The group warned that ICE poses a danger to public health and cautioned that disputes over Homeland Security funding could disrupt essential services if appropriations fail. “We urge you to act in the best interest of the American people,” the letter concluded.
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:31 PM EST
White House confirms probe into ICE shooting – but still blames Democrat leaders for death of Pretti
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the ICE agent shooting of nurse Alex Pretti was under investigation by multiple departments including Homeland Security, the FBI and Customs and Border Protection - but she still attempted to blame Democrat leaders for the death.
"As President Trump said yesterday, the administration is reviewing everything with respect to the shooting, and we will let that investigation play out," she said at her Monday press briefing.
"But let's be clear about the circumstances which led to that moment on Saturday. This tragedy occurred as a result of a deliberate and hostile resistance by Democrat leaders in Minnesota."
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:25 PM EST
Tim Walz’ office says governor’s call with Trump was ‘productive’
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's office described his morning call with Donald Trump as "productive" as it said that the president had agreed to look into scaling back the number of federal officers in the state or work more closely with local and state representatives.
“The Governor made the case that we need impartial investigations of the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents, and that we need to reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota,” his office wrote in a release.
It added that Trump had agreed to talk to the Department of Homeland Security about allowing the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct an independent investigation, and had agreed to look into either reducing the number of federal agents or working with the state “in a more coordinated fashion on immigration enforcement regarding violent criminals.”
Trump wrote in a social media post earlier Monday, following the call, that he and Walz were on a "similar wavelength" in wanting to work together on immigration issues in Minnesota. He said the people the administration is seeking “are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession” and Walz “very respectfully, understood that."
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:24 PM EST
White House reaffirms support for Noem amid ICE turmoil
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem retains President Donald Trump’s “full trust and confidence,” a White House official said Monday, even as Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to oversee immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
The statement to CNN emphasized that Noem will continue to lead the Department of Homeland Security, while Homan will focus exclusively on Minnesota. “Tom Homan is uniquely positioned to drop everything and focus solely on Minnesota to solve the problems that have been created by a lack of cooperation from state and local officials,” the official said.
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:24 PM EST
Trump, Walz call seen as ‘productive’ amid Minnesota tensions
President Donald Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz spoke Monday morning about the fatal shootings involving federal immigration officers, with both sides describing the conversation positively.
Walz’s office called the exchange “productive,” noting the governor pressed for impartial investigations into the Minneapolis shootings and urged a reduction in the number of federal agents deployed in the state.
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:13 PM EST
Judge weighs Minnesota Ice case, decision pending
A federal court hearing on whether to expel immigration agents from Minnesota concluded Monday without an immediate ruling.
U.S. District Judge Kate M. Menendez heard arguments from attorneys representing the state, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and the Trump administration.
She did not issue a decision from the bench and offered no timeline for when a written order might be released.
Jan 26, 2026 at 01:11 PM EST
Mike Pence breaks silence on Alex Pretti
Former Vice President Mike Pence responded to the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, calling the incident “deeply troubling” and urging a full and transparent investigation.
In a statement posted to social media, Pence offered prayers to Pretti’s family, Minneapolis residents, and law enforcement officers. He said the focus should now be on uniting local, state, and federal agencies to address community concerns while continuing immigration enforcement.
“The American people deserve to have safe streets, our laws enforced and our constitutional rights respected and preserved all at the same time,” Pence wrote, framing the balance between public safety and civil liberties as central to “how Law and Order and Freedom work together in America.”
Pretti’s death has intensified scrutiny of federal tactics in Minnesota, where immigration operations have drawn widespread criticism and calls for accountability.
Jan 26, 2026 at 12:58 PM EST
Kentucky governor slams federal response to Pretti shooting
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear sharply criticized the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump administration’s handling of the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, calling their conclusions “grossly irresponsible” and “incredibly concerning.”
Speaking on CNN’s News Central, Beshear accused federal officials of dismissing the deaths of American citizens in pursuit of deportation targets. “It is very clear that this administration is willing to allow for the deaths of Americans to secure a certain number of deportations,” he said.
Beshear urged the withdrawal of federal immigration officers from cities nationwide and called for “a full‑on retraining,” arguing that agents are using “aggressive tactics that are not appropriate for law enforcement.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 12:44 PM EST
Congress faces DHS funding standoff as shutdown looms
Senate Democrats and Republicans are grappling with how to fund the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies ahead of a January 30 deadline, with the risk of a government shutdown growing after the fatal shooting in Minneapolis.
Aides said the political landscape shifted dramatically over the weekend. While few anticipated a shutdown on Friday, by Saturday night it appeared increasingly difficult to avoid one.
Republicans are weighing options to counter Democratic demands to remove the DHS bill from a House‑passed appropriations package, stressing their priority is to keep 75 percent of government spending intact.
Democrats, meanwhile, are still debating what reforms to seek regarding DHS and ICE, with leaders soliciting input from members. Sources caution that no unified position has yet emerged, and a quick compromise appears unlikely.
Jan 26, 2026 at 12:30 PM EST
FBI Director Kash Patel promises more arrests in Minnesota protests investigation
FBI Director Kash Patel promised more arrests after multiple vehicles belonging to the bureau were vandalized and broken into on January 14 amid ongoing protests in Minneapolis.
Four individuals were arrested earlier this month, Patel said, in an interview Monday with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. He added that another individual was arrested Sunday night, and the investigation is ongoing.
"In a vehicle, we discovered not just [FBI] firearms, which thankfully we recovered, but also personal information about law enforcement," Patel said in part. "That personal information was being used on the ground to issue threats of life to FBI agents, along with their wives and their children. There are going to be more arrests on that same matter, today and tomorrow. We're not done."
He also told Johnson, in part, about the Minneapolis protests “We've got also investigations ongoing into the funding of this [protests]. We've made substantial progress. We've actually found groups and individuals responsible for funding it cause it's not happening organically.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 12:30 PM EST
Suozzi says he ‘failed’ on DHS funding vote
Rep. Tom Suozzi admitted in a campaign email that he “failed” in supporting a Department of Homeland Security funding bill, saying he did not fully consider its connection to immigration enforcement controversies in Minneapolis.
“I failed to view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis,” Suozzi wrote to supporters.
Jan 26, 2026 at 12:13 PM EST
Omar rebukes Trump after claim DOJ, Congress ‘looking at’ her
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D‑Minn., fired back Monday at President Donald Trump after he claimed on Truth Social that the Justice Department and Congress were “looking at” her.
“Sorry, Trump, your support is collapsing and you’re panicking,” Omar wrote on X. “Right on cue, you’re deflecting from your failures with lies and conspiracy theories about me. Years of ‘investigations’ have found nothing. Get your goons out of Minnesota.”
Omar, a frequent target of Trump’s attacks, has long dismissed his calls for investigations into political opponents.
Jan 26, 2026 at 12:11 PM EST
Trump says he’s on ‘similar wavelength’ with Walz after ‘very good call’
In a surprising about-face on Monday, President Donald Trump said that he and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appear to be on the same page, after praising their "very good call." Trump, who has previously attacked Walz as "grossly incompetent" and "a loser," said that he and Walz "seemed to be a similar wavelength," in a post on Truth Social on Monday.
The president also said that Walz was "happy" that White House Border Czar Tom Homan was being sent to Minnesota, adding "and so am I."
Jan 26, 2026 at 12:02 PM EST
Trump says DOJ, Congress ‘looking at’ Rep. Ilhan Omar
President Donald Trump suggested Sunday that Rep. Ilhan Omar, D‑Minn., is under scrutiny by the Justice Department and Congress, writing on Truth Social that they were “looking at” the Minnesota lawmaker. “Time will tell all,” he added.
Omar, a frequent critic of Trump, has often been the target of his attacks. The president has previously urged federal authorities to investigate political opponents, and the Justice Department has pursued cases against several of his critics.
Jan 26, 2026 at 11:53 AM EST
Trump touts ‘success’ as he dispatches Homan to Minnesota after call with Walz
President Donald Trump said Monday that he spoke with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz about coordinating on immigration enforcement, describing the call as “very good” and noting they were “on a similar wavelength.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he told Walz that border czar Tom Homan would follow up directly, with the goal of securing “any and all criminals” held in state custody. According to Trump, Walz “very respectfully” understood the request and welcomed Homan’s involvement.
Trump pointed to what he called “tremendous success” in other cities, including Washington, D.C., Memphis, and New Orleans, and said crime in Minnesota was already down but that both he and Walz wanted to “make it better.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 11:49 AM EST
Trump blames Democrats for deaths in Minneapolis immigration crackdown
President Donald Trump acknowledged Sunday that two American citizens had “tragically” lost their lives during his administration’s immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis, but he placed responsibility on Democratic leaders.
In a series of social media posts, Trump accused “Sanctuary Cities and States” of refusing to cooperate with ICE and encouraging protesters to obstruct federal operations. He said such resistance was creating “dangerous circumstances for everyone involved.”
The remarks appeared to reference the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both Minneapolis residents killed by federal agents this month. Administration officials quickly labeled the victims “domestic terrorists,” though video evidence contradicted those claims.
Trump urged Democratic officials to turn over undocumented immigrants held in local jails and prisons and pressed Congress to “END Sanctuary Cities.” He contrasted opposition in Democratic states with Republican-led states such as Texas and Florida, where he said immigration operations faced less resistance.
Pretti’s killing has sparked calls from Republicans for an independent investigation. Videos show he was legally carrying a firearm, disarmed, and pinned to the ground when shot. Gun rights groups, including the NRA, have rejected federal claims that Pretti forfeited his Second Amendment rights by protesting.
Trump told The Wall Street Journal his administration was “reviewing everything” about the incident and said agents would eventually leave Minneapolis, though he offered no timeline.
Jan 26, 2026 at 11:35 AM EST
GOP candidate exits Minnesota race
In a dramatic turn Monday, Republican attorney Chris Madel announced he was ending his campaign for Minnesota governor, saying he “cannot support the national Republican stated retribution on the citizens of our state.”
Madel, once considered a leading contender for the GOP ticket, had recently assisted ICE agent Jonathan Ross in securing legal representation after the shooting of Renee Good.
Jan 26, 2026 at 11:21 AM EST
Minnesota lawyers argue ICE surge driven by retaliation
Brian Carter, representing the state of Minnesota, told a federal judge Monday that the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities is motivated by “personal animosity” and “retribution,” pointing to the president’s own remarks about the state as evidence.
Earlier in the hearing, Judge Kate M. Menendez observed that Minnesota and the administration hold “different sets of values” on immigration enforcement, cautioning that the case risked asking her to decide which side was right.
Carter had previously argued that the federal government was attempting to “bend the state’s will to its own,” a move he said violated constitutional protections.
Menendez pressed the state’s attorneys on how she should determine when federal law enforcement actions cross the line into a 10th Amendment violation, underscoring the challenge of weighing Minnesota’s request to block the surge of ICE agents.
Jan 26, 2026 at 11:09 AM EST
University of Minnesota pays tribute to Alex Pretti
The University of Minnesota has honored the memory of Alex Pretti, a 2011 graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, society and the environment, after he was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.
In a statement, the university described the loss as “a deeply painful time for our community,” acknowledging the fear, sadness, anger and confusion felt by many. Officials urged students, faculty and alumni to lean on shared values of inclusion, belonging and safety, and called for compassion and understanding as the community grieves.
Pretti’s death has intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, where tensions remain high following multiple deadly encounters this month.
Jan 26, 2026 at 10:47 AM EST
Judge questions scope of Minnesota’s challenge to ICE surge
U.S. District Judge Kate M. Menendez pressed Minnesota officials Monday on their request to block the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge, suggesting the lawsuit may be too broad.
Menendez, a Biden appointee, noted that several narrower cases have already been filed challenging specific actions by immigration agents. “It seems that part of the solution for this set of wrongs that you describe is to bring cases about those wrongs,” she said, “rather than to say all of these things together means the federal government has to leave the state of Minnesota.”
The state, along with Minneapolis and St. Paul, is seeking a temporary restraining order against Operation Metro Surge, arguing the influx of federal agents violates constitutional protections and state sovereignty. The administration maintains that the president has wide authority to deploy immigration officers nationwide.
Jan 26, 2026 at 10:39 AM EST
Minnesota court hearing highlights tensions over ICE surge
A federal court hearing unfolded in Minneapolis on whether to block Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s deployment of immigration agents across the state. Judge Katherine Menendez acknowledged the “shockingly unusual times” but pressed state lawyers on whether their 10th Amendment claims could stand.
Brian Carter, representing Minnesota, argued the operation was “unprecedented in the 250‑year history of our country,” likening the influx of agents to “essentially an army” sent to provoke unrest. Fellow attorney Lindsey Middlecamp accused federal officials of punishing and silencing critics, while earlier describing the surge as an “invasion” and urging the court to issue a restraining order immediately.
Before arguments began, Attorney General Keith Ellison praised Judge Menendez’s deliberate approach but said he hoped for swift action to halt the operation. Middlecamp also pointed to the recent fatal shooting of another Minneapolis resident and criticized a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi as “a ransom note.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 10:29 AM EST
Minneapolis braces for dangerous cold as protests continue
Minneapolis remains under a cold‑weather advisory today as extreme temperatures grip much of the country.
The National Weather Service reported early this morning that the city’s temperature hovered near minus 12 degrees, with wind chills expected to plunge as low as minus 40. Officials warned that frostbite could occur on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, and hypothermia is a serious risk without proper protection.
Anti‑ICE protesters endured frigid conditions Sunday, and the bitter cold is forecast to persist. The weather service added that snow flurries are possible after 5 p.m., further complicating conditions for residents and demonstrators alike.
Jan 26, 2026 at 10:02 AM EST
What has been said about Alex Pretti’s death
Conflicting accounts have surfaced following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, the second deadly encounter involving immigration officers in the city this month.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a handgun and “violently resisted” attempts to disarm him, prompting an agent to fire in self‑defense. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino went further, accusing Pretti of trying to “massacre law enforcement,” though he declined to clarify whether the weapon was fired.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rejected the federal narrative as “nonsense” and “lies,” saying video evidence showed a different account of events. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described footage of “more than six masked agents pummeling one of our constituents and shooting him to death.”
President Donald Trump has offered limited comment, posting an image of what he said was Pretti’s gun and questioning its presence at the scene.
Jan 26, 2026 at 09:48 AM EST
Former immigration officials decry tactics after Pretti shooting
The fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti has intensified criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, with current and former federal agents warning that aggressive tactics are endangering both civilians and officers.
Oscar Hagelsieb, a retired Homeland Security special agent who once supported Trump, said the deployment of large numbers of agents into cities was “causing chaos” and “costing lives.” Other officials told The New York Times that morale within ICE and Border Patrol has plummeted as agents face arrest quotas, long hours, and public hostility.
Critics pointed to Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino’s “turn and burn” approach, which has included smashing windshields and using chemical agents against protesters. Gil Kerlikowske, former head of Customs and Border Protection, said many agents lack training for urban policing and that tactics seen in Minneapolis were “far outside standard practices.”
While union leaders insist morale remains strong, several agents expressed fear of being doxxed and frustration with what they described as indiscriminate street sweeps. Public opinion has shifted sharply against ICE, with polls showing majority disapproval of its operations.
Jan 26, 2026 at 09:34 AM EST
Judge to weigh extension of evidence order in Pretti case
A federal judge in Minneapolis will hear arguments this afternoon on whether to extend an order preventing the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence tied to the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti.
U.S. District Court Judge Eric Tostrud issued a temporary restraining order Saturday night at the request of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The order bars the Department of Homeland Security from tampering with or removing materials collected at the scene of the shooting.
The hearing will determine if the restrictions remain in place as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death, which has intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Jan 26, 2026 at 09:20 AM EST
Minnesota Senator warns of rising anger after Pretti shooting
Minnesota State Senator Zaynab Mohamed said residents are grieving and increasingly angry following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.
Speaking on CNN’s This Morning with anchor Audie Cornish, Mohamed praised Democratic leaders, including Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, for demanding a thorough investigation and standing “steadfast with the people of Minneapolis.” She said state leadership has been united in pressing for accountability.
Mohamed described fear among protesters and immigrant communities, noting that thousands of trained observers have been documenting ICE activity to protect constitutional rights. “People are afraid they can be the next Alex Pretti or the next Renee Good,” she said, referencing another fatal shooting earlier this month.
She added that while Minneapolis residents have remained calm in recent years, “the anger, you can feel it in the air. People are getting angrier as the time goes.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 09:10 AM EST
Trump dispatches border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota
President Donald Trump announced Monday that White House “border czar” Tom Homan will oversee immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, following weeks of controversy over federal tactics in the state.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Homan as “tough but fair” and said he would report directly to the president. Trump added that while Homan has not previously worked in Minnesota, he “knows and likes many of the people there.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the assignment in a separate post on X, saying Homan will manage ICE operations on the ground “to continue arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 09:07 AM EST
WATCH: Greg Bovino blames ICE shooting on protesters making ‘poor choices’
Jan 26, 2026 at 08:54 AM EST
Minneapolis sees two deadly ICE shootings amid immigration crackdown
Minneapolis has become the center of escalating tension as two U.S. citizens were killed by federal immigration agents in the past three weeks during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
On January 7, Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent while sitting in her car near 34th Street and Portland. Just blocks away, on Saturday, ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot after attempting to help a protester who had been pushed to the ground by an agent at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.
The proximity of the shootings and the rapid succession of events have intensified scrutiny of federal tactics in Minnesota, where immigration enforcement operations have drawn widespread criticism and sparked calls for accountability.
Jan 26, 2026 at 08:40 AM EST
Calls grow for Noem to resign after ICE shootings
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing mounting pressure to step down following two deadly shootings by federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
California Governor Gavin Newsom demanded Noem’s resignation in a sharp rebuke on social media, accusing ICE of carrying out “lawless mass deportation raids” that go beyond targeting dangerous criminals.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul echoed the call at a news conference, saying Noem had “forfeited her right to lead” and urging President Donald Trump to dismiss her. Hochul added that if Trump refuses, Congress should move to impeach the secretary.
Noem has defended the agency’s actions in recent briefings, insisting agents acted in self‑defense in the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Her account of Pretti “violently resisting” has been challenged by video evidence that appears to contradict federal claims.
Jan 26, 2026 at 08:27 AM EST
Mjor US companies speak out against Alex Pretti shooting
Dozens of Minnesota-based firms have publicly expressed their concerns with federal immigration enforcement activities following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
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On Sunday, Minnesota’s Chamber of Commerce released an open letter signed by more than 60 businesses and CEOs warning that the actions of federal immigration agents had sown "widespread disruption" in the state and led to the "tragic loss of life."
"We are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions," the letter read.
Newsweek has contacted the White House, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Minnesota’s Chamber of Commerce for comment.
Saturday's shooting of Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, came only two weeks after federal agents shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, intensifying the growing opposition from protesters and state officials to the actions of immigration agents in Minnesota.
In the immediate aftermath, administration and agency officials said Pretti had approached federal agents brandishing a semi-automatic handgun and appeared intent to "massacre law enforcement." But videos of his death contradict this official narrative, and those who knew Pretti say his only purpose was non-violent protest.
And while the group of CEOs said they were committed to operating and investing in Minnesota "with even greater commitment" despite recent developments, their comments suggest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol agents are alienating the business community as well as local officials and the communities in which they are operating.
Continue reading: Major US Companies Speak Out Against Alex Pretti Shooting: Full List
Jan 26, 2026 at 08:14 AM EST
ICE crackdown in Minnesota explained
A surge of federal immigration officers in Minnesota has left the state tense for weeks, with Saturday’s fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti marking the second time this month a U.S. citizen has been killed by federal agents.
The Trump administration launched Operation Metro Surge in December, targeting undocumented Somali residents in the Twin Cities. The crackdown followed allegations of fraud in state social service programs and claims amplified by conservative media and political figures about Somali‑run child care centers.
The operation has coincided with escalating controversy: Gov. Tim Walz abandoned his reelection bid amid a welfare‑fraud scandal, and two earlier shootings by immigration agents — the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and the wounding of a Venezuelan man — drew sharp criticism of federal tactics.
Pretti’s death has intensified scrutiny. The Department of Homeland Security said he was armed and resisted arrest, but Walz dismissed that account as “nonsense” and “lies.” Video evidence reviewed by CNN has raised further questions, and federal officials have yet to provide substantiating details.
Jan 26, 2026 at 08:01 AM EST
GoFundMe for Alex Pretti’s family surpasses $1 million
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support the family of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti has raised more than $1 million, far exceeding its initial $20,000 goal.
The fundraiser, titled Alex Pretti is an American Hero, was created on Saturday following Pretti’s fatal shooting by a federal officer. Organizers said the money is intended to help his loved ones with immediate and ongoing needs.
Campaign details note that funds will not be distributed until next of kin are verified and a family representative is identified. If the money cannot be transferred to Pretti’s relatives, organizers pledged to donate the total amount to the Immigrant Defense Project, a nonprofit that provides legal and advocacy support for immigrants facing deportation.
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Jan 26, 2026 at 07:56 AM EST
Obama, Clinton condemn federal tactics after Pretti killing
Two Democratic former presidents on Sunday condemned the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, framing the tragedy as a turning point for the nation.
Barack and Michelle Obama called Pretti’s death a “heartbreaking tragedy” and urged Americans to “speak up” against what they described as unprecedented and intimidating tactics by federal immigration agents. They criticized the administration for escalating tensions and offering explanations for the shootings of Pretti and Renee Good that appear contradicted by video evidence.
Former President Bill Clinton also weighed in, calling the scenes in Minnesota “horrible” and warning that leaders were misleading the public. He urged citizens to stand up for democratic values and resist efforts to erode trust in institutions.
The White House pushed back, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson accusing Obama of exploiting the moment to divide the country.
"Obama should join President Trump in urging local Democrat leaders — like Walz and Frey — to work with the Trump Administration to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities," Jackson said in a statement. "Instead, they are attacking law enforcement and defending criminal illegal aliens with additional convictions for murder, rape, assault, and more."
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:52 AM EST
Gov. Lujan Grisham calls for probe after Pretti killing
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said she is “horrified” by the recent killings of U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, including the death of ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti on Saturday.
In a statement posted on social media, Lujan Grisham called Pretti’s death “a horrifying situation” and urged a “thorough and independent investigation” to ensure accountability.
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:47 AM EST
Poll shows rising support for abolishing ICE after Pretti killing
A new YouGov survey released Sunday found more Americans now favor abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement than oppose it, following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti by a federal agent.
The poll of 3,359 adults showed 46 percent support for eliminating the agency, compared with 41 percent opposed. Democrats overwhelmingly backed abolition at 76 percent, while 73 percent of Republicans opposed it.
Public dissatisfaction with ICE’s operations was also evident: 48 percent of respondents said they “strongly disapprove” of how the agency is conducting enforcement, compared with 23 percent who “strongly approve.” A majority, 58 percent, described ICE as “too forceful,” while only 10 percent said it was “not forceful enough.”
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:43 AM EST
Judge to hear challenge to Minnesota immigration crackdown
A federal judge in Minneapolis is set to hear arguments today on whether to temporarily halt the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, following two fatal shootings by federal officers this month.
The state of Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed suit against the Department of Homeland Security earlier this month, days after the shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. The weekend killing of nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent has intensified pressure on the case.
Officials are seeking to roll back Operation Metro Surge, launched by the Trump administration on Dec. 1, and restore conditions prior to the crackdown. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, said he will attend the hearing in person.
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:39 AM EST
Sen. Ricketts calls for transparent probe after Pretti shooting
Senator Pete Ricketts responded to the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, calling the incident “a horrifying situation” and offering condolences to Pretti’s family.
In a statement shared on social media, Ricketts reaffirmed his support for funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arguing that immigration enforcement is vital for public safety and national security. At the same time, he stressed that the nation must uphold its core values, including the right to protest and assemble.
Ricketts said he expects a “prioritized, transparent investigation” into the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death, which has intensified debate over federal enforcement tactics and accountability.
Jan 26, 2026 at 07:34 AM EST
Civil rights attorney calls Pretti shooting ‘cold-blooded murder’
A civil rights attorney has denounced the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti, describing the incident as “cold-blooded murder” and accusing federal officials of mounting a smear campaign to justify the killing.
Attorney Areva Martin told CNN that video evidence shows Pretti engaged in peaceful protest activity before being pinned to the ground and shot. She emphasized that Pretti held a valid license to carry a firearm and was killed only after the weapon had been taken from him.
“There’s nothing in the videos, nothing from any of the witnesses’ statements that would justify what appears to be just a cold-blooded murder,” Martin said.
Martin also criticized the Trump administration’s response, arguing that officials have used inflammatory language to portray Pretti as intending to attack immigration agents. She said those claims contradict footage of the shooting and witness accounts.
Federal authorities have maintained that the agent acted in self-defense but have not released evidence substantiating that claim.
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