Minnesota Violence Forces Trump’s Hand

President Trump deploys trusted Border Czar Tom Homan directly to Minneapolis, bypassing DHS chain of command, after federal agents face deadly violence in the second Minnesota shooting amid mass deportation pushback.

Story Highlights

Trump sends Tom Homan to oversee ICE operations in Minnesota following fatal shooting of licensed gun owner Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents.
Homan reports straight to Trump, sidelining normal DHS authority under Secretary Kristi Noem for targeted enforcement on criminal illegals.
Second Minnesota resident killed by federal agents signals escalating tensions in sanctuary city resisting mass deportations.
Trump coordinates with Democrat Governor Walz on investigations while vowing to continue removing “worst of the worst” criminal aliens.
Bipartisan calls for probes highlight disputed claims about Pretti brandishing weapon, absent in social media videos.

Trump Takes Direct Control After Second Deadly Shooting

President Donald Trump announced Tom Homan’s deployment to Minnesota on January 26, 2026, hours after speaking with Governor Tim Walz. Homan, former acting ICE director, arrived that evening to manage ICE operations targeting criminal illegal aliens. Federal Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday. This marks the second fatal incident involving a Minnesota resident and federal agents during Trump’s immigration crackdown. Pretti held a valid Minnesota concealed carry license.

Homan’s Targeted Strategy Versus Local Resistance

Minneapolis, home to a large Somali diaspora, faces probes into alleged charity fraud linked to welfare scams fueling street protests. Trump blames these for violence against federal agents executing deportations. Homan favors precision removals of unauthorized immigrants with criminal records, differing from Secretary Kristi Noem’s volume-driven approach. Noem praised the move publicly, calling it vital for safety and accountability. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized arresting the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.”

Disputed Shooting Facts Demand Investigation

Administration officials claim Pretti brandished a powerful gun with multiple magazines, labeling him a domestic terrorist threatening officers. Social media videos contradict this, showing no such action. Trump stated he dislikes any shooting but noted Pretti’s armament raised concerns. He pledged a full review without prejudging agent conduct. This is the second such killing, underscoring risks agents face in high-resistance areas like Democrat-led Minneapolis opposing border security.

Senator Bill Cassidy demanded a joint federal-state probe, warning ICE and DHS credibility hangs in the balance. Senator Jim Banks hailed Homan as the deportation expert. House Republicans seek testimony from ICE leadership. These calls reflect even conservative concerns over transparency amid enforcement dangers.

Pragmatic Federal-State Talks Amid Enforcement Push

Governor Walz described his Trump call as productive, securing promises for Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension involvement in independent probes. Trump agreed to explore pulling back federal agents eventually, without timelines, while intensifying operations under Homan. Walz pushed for state-local coordination to ease tensions. This collaboration shows Trump’s deal-making balancing aggressive deportations with local realities in sanctuary strongholds.