Minneapolis Erupts After Fatal ICE Shooting as Pressure Mounts on Trump
Minneapolis has become the latest flashpoint in America’s intensifying immigration debate after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents. The incident has sparked days of protests across the city and beyond, deepened political divisions, and placed renewed pressure on the Trump administration over its aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
On Sunday, hundreds of protesters marched through downtown Minneapolis despite freezing temperatures, calling for justice for Pretti and demanding the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from the city. Demonstrations also spread to major cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with protesters holding signs reading “Justice for Alex” and “Abolish ICE.”
The shooting occurred on Saturday during what federal officials described as a “targeted” immigration operation. According to the Department of Homeland Security, agents fired in self-defense after Pretti allegedly resisted disarmament while carrying a handgun. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti was “brandishing” a weapon.
Local authorities and eyewitnesses strongly dispute that account.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the gun was legally registered and that Pretti was not brandishing it. He added that the shooting happened after the weapon had already been removed. Videos that surfaced online appear to show Pretti holding a phone, not a firearm, moments before he was shot.
Pretti’s family has described the federal government’s version of events as deeply misleading and offensive. In a statement released after the administration labeled him a “domestic terrorist,” his family said the claims were “reprehensible and disgusting.”
“Please get the truth out about our son,” the family said. “He was a good man.”
Court records show Pretti had no criminal history beyond minor traffic violations. He was a lawful gun owner, and Minnesota law allows permitted individuals to carry handguns in public.
Growing Rift Between Federal and Local Authorities
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the moment an “inflection point” for the country and renewed his demand that President Donald Trump remove ICE agents from Minneapolis.
“This cannot continue,” Walz said, warning that federal actions were pushing communities toward chaos rather than safety.
Mayor Jacob Frey echoed those concerns, while Police Chief O’Hara revealed that local and state law enforcement officers were blocked by federal agents from accessing the scene of the shooting, even after securing a search warrant.
O’Hara said the obstruction has strained relationships that took years to build between state and federal agencies and could undermine future investigations.
Trump, however, has doubled down publicly.
In a social media post, the president demanded that Walz and other Democratic governors “turn over all Criminal Illegal Aliens” in state custody for deportation. He also called on Congress to eliminate sanctuary city policies, claiming they are the root of unrest and violence.
Later, in an interview, Trump suggested he may eventually withdraw ICE agents from Minneapolis but offered no timeline.
“At some point we will leave,” he said. “They’ve done a phenomenal job.”
Political Backlash Reaches Across Party Lines
While Democrats have been vocal in their opposition, criticism is now emerging from within the Republican Party as well.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said voters were increasingly uncomfortable watching fellow Americans being shot on television and warned that accountability and federal tactics had become major concerns.
Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy called the shooting “incredibly disturbing” and said the credibility of both ICE and the Department of Homeland Security was now at stake.
Even gun-rights groups have entered the debate. The National Rifle Association called for a full investigation, urging public officials to avoid demonizing lawful gun owners before facts are established.
Protests, Arrests, and Rising Tensions
Sunday night’s protests in Minneapolis escalated as armed and masked federal agents used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse crowds. Demonstrators braved temperatures well below zero, chanting and marching through the city.
The unrest comes just weeks after another fatal shooting involving ICE agents, when 37-year-old Renee Good was killed earlier this month while observing an immigration operation. That incident already had Minneapolis on edge.
Tensions have also spread into institutions. An FBI agent reportedly resigned over concerns about pressure to scale back the investigation into Pretti’s death. Earlier this month, at least six federal prosecutors in Minneapolis stepped down, citing concerns over political interference.
Meanwhile, more than 60 major Minnesota-based companies, including household names in retail, healthcare, and manufacturing, signed an open letter urging an immediate de-escalation of tensions and calling on federal and local leaders to work together toward real solutions.
A City at the Center of a National Debate
Minnesota has become a focal point in the national conversation about immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and federal authority. The state is home to the largest Somali immigrant community in the United States, and ICE operations intensified in December following convictions related to welfare fraud cases.
While polls suggest about half of Americans support deporting people living in the country illegally, surveys also show deep concern about how those policies are being carried out. Many voters believe the crackdown has become too aggressive.
For residents of Minneapolis, the issue feels deeply personal.
“We want ICE out of Minnesota,” said Bishop Dwayne Royster, whose organization supports local protest efforts. “We want Congress to stand up and provide oversight.”
As investigations continue and political pressure builds, the killing of Alex Pretti has become more than a single tragic event. It has turned into a symbol of a broader national reckoning over immigration, policing, and the balance between security and civil rights.
For now, Minneapolis remains on edge, caught between federal force and local resistance, and waiting for answers that may shape the future of immigration enforcement across the United States.
