President Donald Trump said his administration will “de-escalate” operations in Minnesota following the recent Minnesota shooting. He called both fatal shootings in the state “terrible” and emphasized the government’s plan to reduce tensions. Federal immigration officers drew national attention after the incident. Border agents fatally shot the second victim, Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, during a confrontation. Trump described Pretti’s death as “a very unfortunate incident” during a news interview. He said he had not heard claims labeling Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” and added that Pretti should not have carried a gun.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem argued that Pretti intended to provoke violence and called the act “domestic terrorism.” DHS said agents acted in self-defense after Pretti resisted disarmament. However, eyewitnesses and local officials challenged the federal account, saying Pretti held a phone, not a gun. Authorities verified that Pretti’s firearm was legally registered and shot him after removing the weapon from his possession. A preliminary report by Customs and Border Protection also raised questions. It noted that two agents fired their weapons but did not mention Pretti reaching for a firearm. These inconsistencies intensified local protests and fueled calls for federal withdrawal.
DHS removed Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino. The White House deployed Tom Homan, the border tsar, to oversee operations. Homan met with the Minnesota governor, Minneapolis mayor, and local law enforcement to address concerns. Trump defended the federal operation while noting that authorities arrested thousands of hardened criminals in the state. He said the administration would now “de-escalate” and focus on reducing conflicts. Stephen Miller, a senior White House aide, explained that new guidance directs federal agents to create a physical barrier between arrest teams and protestors. The White House also reviews why some agents did not follow this protocol.
Lawmakers from both parties called for investigations into the Minnesota shooting. Republican leaders urged transparency and stressed the need to review evidence carefully. A federal judge barred DHS from altering or destroying any evidence connected to the incident. At a rally in Iowa, Trump highlighted broader immigration policies but avoided discussing the situation in detail. He cited public support for efforts to deport illegal immigrants who commit crimes, stressing his administration’s commitment to safety while promising to reduce tensions. The Minnesota shooting has sparked national debate about federal enforcement tactics, public safety, and balancing law enforcement with community trust. Trump’s pledge to de-escalate aims to calm rising tensions while maintaining federal authority.
