Trump to De-Escalate Minnesota Immigration Enforcement

Trump Signals Shift After Minnesota Shooting

President Donald Trump has directed his administration to “de-escalate” federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis — the second such deadly encounter in the state this month. Trump described the incident as “very unfortunate” while speaking to Fox News and reporters, and said he hopes a personnel reshuffle — including sending White House border adviser Tom Homan to lead efforts — will ease tensions with local leaders such as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Trump also questioned why Pretti was armed at the scene but rejected characterizations of him as a domestic terrorist.

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Federal Response and Conflicting Accounts in Pretti Case

Federal officials initially claimed that agents fired in self-defence after Pretti allegedly brandished a firearm, but video evidence and reports have raised questions about that narrative, showing he may have been holding a phone when shot and that the weapon was removed prior to gunfire. The Department of Homeland Security has faced scrutiny from within and outside the government over its handling of the operation and public statements, prompting calls from lawmakers, business leaders, and former President Barack Obama for a transparent investigation and reduction of forces in the area. A federal judge has ordered the preservation of evidence related to the shooting, and discussions between Trump and state officials have considered scaling back the federal presence to reduce further unrest.

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