Trump Announces De-escalation in Minnesota After Immigrant Shootings

Thu Jan 29 2026 20:08:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In light of recent fatal encounters involving federal immigration officers, President Trump declared an impending de-escalation of government operations in Minnesota during a press interview, aiming to ease tensions following public outcry and protests.

Following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by immigration officers in Minnesota, President Trump stated that the government would 'de-escalate' operations in the state. This decision comes after public backlash from both the community and lawmakers due to the recent fatalities, including another shooting incident earlier this month that left Renee Good dead. Amidst growing tensions and protests, Trump described the shootings as 'terrible' and acknowledged the need for a shift in approach, while his administration faces calls for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shootings.

President Donald Trump has stated that his administration is 'going to de-escalate a little bit' in Minnesota, following the recent fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers. This incident marked the second shooting of a US citizen by federal agents in the state in recent weeks.

'Bottom line, it was terrible. Both of them were terrible,' Trump remarked in a Fox News interview.

This renewed controversy follows the death of Renee Good earlier this month and has sparked local protests and widespread criticism from lawmakers across both political parties. Trump's comments signal a potential shift in tactics for his administration amid escalating tensions regarding immigration enforcement.

Before a rally in Iowa, Trump termed Pretti's death, an intensive care nurse, as 'a very unfortunate incident.' When questioned about characterizations of Pretti as a 'domestic terrorist,' Trump responded, 'I haven't heard that,' but he did assert that Pretti 'shouldn't have been carrying a gun.'

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had earlier suggested that Pretti was present to incite violence rather than peacefully protest. Meanwhile, conflicting accounts of the incident have emerged, with some eyewitnesses disputing the claim that Pretti was brandishing a firearm during the confrontation.

In response to the backlash, the Department of Homeland Security has pulled leadership from the Minnesota operations, replacing Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino with Tom Homan, the White House's border tsar. Pretti's death has intensified calls for the Trump administration to withdraw its immigration agents from Minnesota, marking a pivotal moment in the administration's immigration policy amidst mounting scrutiny.