Protests continued in Minneapolis and other US cities on Sunday over the fatal shooting by immigration agents of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated that America was at an inflection point and repeated calls for US President Donald Trump to remove federal immigration agents from the city. Meanwhile, Trump urged the governor to turn over all Criminal Illegal Aliens incarcerated in state prisons for deportation.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara reported that local officers were blocked from accessing the scene of the shooting by federal agents, despite having secured a search warrant.
O'Hara noted that all levels of law enforcement in Minnesota have been cooperating with federal agencies for years, but emphasized that the current situation hampers their ability to conduct operations effectively. US Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino accused O'Hara and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of trying to derail federal operations.
President Trump signaled a willingness to withdraw ICE agents from Minneapolis in an interview, though no timeline was provided. He stated, At some point we will leave. We've done, they've done a phenomenal job. Additionally, lawmakers remain divided on the implications of Pretti's shooting and his Second Amendment rights, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claiming Pretti was shot for brandishing a weapon, which local authorities contest.
The backlash against the Trump administration's immigration tactics includes voices from within the Republican Party. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy expressed deep concern over the shooting and its implications for ICE and DHS credibility.
Protests intensified in Minneapolis on Sunday, with hundreds defying freezing weather, leading to confrontations with armed federal agents who used tear gas against demonstrators. The protests also spread to major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Over 60 prominent Minnesota businesses issued a letter demanding a de-escalation of tensions and calling on officials to work towards constructive solutions.
The shooting incident is part of escalating tensions involving federal immigration operations in the state, especially following recent convictions of Somali immigrants for fraud against state welfare programs. Video footage and eyewitness accounts continue to challenge official narratives regarding Pretti's shooting, with demands for a full investigation persisting amidst nationwide outrage.
