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Updated January 26, 2026 - Tensions escalate as federal and state officials clash over the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis nurse by immigration agents.
Trump administration defends officer amid backlash
U.S. President Donald Trump announced his administration is conducting a full review of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis on Saturday. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Trump indicated federal agents would eventually withdraw from the city but provided no timeline.
Trump stated, "We're looking, we're reviewing everything and will come out with a determination." He expressed discomfort with the shooting but added, "I don't like it when somebody goes into a protest and he's got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also."
Conflicting accounts fuel controversy
The circumstances surrounding Pretti's death remain disputed. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti was shot after "brandishing" a firearm, a statement local authorities deny. Minneapolis officials assert Pretti's legally registered gun had been removed before he was shot.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara told the BBC that state officers were barred from accessing the scene by federal agents despite holding a search warrant. He noted the incident has strained cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.
Protests erupt across U.S. cities
Demonstrations continued in Minneapolis and spread to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco on Sunday. Protesters chanted slogans like "No more Minnesota nice-Minneapolis on strike" and "ICE out now."
"I'm tired of protesting. We can't comprehend how this is happening. Why are we letting this happen?"
Pege Miller, 69, lifelong Minneapolis resident
Over 60 Minnesota-based businesses, including 3M, Best Buy, and Target, signed an open letter urging "immediate de-escalation" and collaboration between local and federal officials.
Political divisions deepen
Republicans and Democrats remain sharply divided over the incident. Senator Bill Cassidy called for a joint federal-state investigation, while Trump ally Congressman James Comer suggested relocating ICE agents from Minneapolis, arguing local leaders were endangering them.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz warned the U.S. faces an "inflection point," stating, "If we cannot all agree that the smearing of an American citizen... is unacceptable, I don't know what else to tell you."
Democrats threatened to block government funding if it includes allocations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), risking another shutdown. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama condemned the Minneapolis events, with Clinton calling them "horrible scenes" he "never thought would take place in America."
Family denies administration claims
Pretti's family refuted the administration's characterization of him as a "domestic terrorist," calling the allegations "reprehensible and disgusting." Court records reviewed by the Associated Press confirm Pretti had no criminal history beyond minor traffic violations.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) joined other gun rights groups in demanding a "full investigation," cautioning against "demonizing law-abiding citizens."
Federal operation under scrutiny
ICE agents were conducting a "targeted" operation to detain Jose Huerta Chuma, accused of domestic assault and other offenses. However, the Minnesota Department of Corrections disputed these claims, stating Huerta had only minor traffic violations from over a decade ago.
Trump demanded Democratic leaders cooperate with federal enforcement efforts, accusing sanctuary cities of exacerbating tensions. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Governor Walz of encouraging "left-wing agitators" to interfere with lawful operations.
Broader context of federal-local tensions
This is the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by ICE agents in recent weeks. Earlier this month, 37-year-old Renee Good was killed while observing an anti-immigration raid. The incidents follow Trump's crackdown launched in December after Somali immigrants were convicted in a welfare fraud scheme.
Polls show Americans divided on Trump's immigration policies, with roughly half supporting deportation efforts but split on their execution.
