President Donald Trump said his administration will “de-escalate a little bit” in Minnesota following the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration officers in the state.
Speaking in a Fox News interview Tuesday, Trump called the deaths “terrible,” referring to the fatal shootings of Renee Good in early January and Alex Pretti, who was killed by border agents over the weekend.
Pretti’s death sparked protests in Minnesota and renewed criticism from lawmakers in both parties, raising questions about federal immigration operations in the state. Trump’s comments suggest his administration may scale back its presence.
Ahead of a campaign rally in Iowa, Trump described Pretti’s killing as “a very unfortunate incident.” When asked about claims labeling Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” Trump said he was unaware of such characterizations, adding that Pretti “shouldn’t have been carrying a gun.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said after the shooting that Pretti was “brandishing” a firearm and accused him of domestic terrorism. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said agents fired in self-defense after Pretti resisted efforts to disarm him.
Local officials and eyewitnesses have disputed that account, saying Pretti was holding a phone, not a weapon, at the time he was shot. Authorities also said Pretti’s gun was legally registered and had been removed before the shooting.
A preliminary report by U.S. Customs and Border Protection appears to contradict DHS’s initial statement. The report, reviewed by CBS News, says two agents fired at Pretti but does not state that he was reaching for his firearm.
On Monday, DHS removed Gregory Bovino, the head of the Minnesota mission, and appointed White House border adviser Tom Homan to oversee operations. Homan said he has met with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and local law enforcement leaders.
Pretti’s death came just two weeks after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good, fueling public anger and calls from state and city officials for the withdrawal of roughly 3,000 federal immigration agents from the region. Despite the criticism, Trump defended the operation, saying it removed “thousands of hardened criminals” and improved crime statistics. He said the administration would continue enforcement efforts while moving to “de-escalate.”
White House aide Stephen Miller said the administration is reviewing whether federal agents followed guidance on crowd control and force protection during the operation.
Several Republican leaders, including Vermont Governor Phil Scott and Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts, have called for an investigation into Pretti’s death. A federal judge has ordered DHS to preserve all evidence related to the case.
Trump did not address the Minnesota situation in detail during his Iowa rally, instead focusing on immigration policy and citing a poll showing broad public support for deporting undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes.
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