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Trump Calls for “Softer Touch” as Federal Immigration Presence Shrinks in Minnesota

Updated (162 articles)
  • A photograph of Alex Pretti rests at a vigil for the 37-year-old in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    A photograph of Alex Pretti rests at a vigil for the 37-year-old in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. Source Full size
  • People visit a makeshift memorial for 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer last week, in Minneapolis, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
    Image: Newsweek
    People visit a makeshift memorial for 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer last week, in Minneapolis, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy) Source Full size
  • Ammon Bundy speaks at a campaign event in Boise, Idaho on June 19, 2021.
    Image: Newsweek
    Ammon Bundy speaks at a campaign event in Boise, Idaho on June 19, 2021. Source Full size
  • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 27: Demonstrators protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota on January 27, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protests and demonstrations continue around Minneapolis in the aftermath of the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal law enforcement.
    Image: Newsweek
    MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 27: Demonstrators protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota on January 27, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protests and demonstrations continue around Minneapolis in the aftermath of the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal law enforcement. Source Full size
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  • Alex Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital
    Image: BBC
    Alex Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital (AP) Source Full size
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    Getty Images Source Full size
  • Chad Michael Watts, 45, of Kyle, Texas, was arrested on Tuesday on two counts of assault causing bodily injury. (Photo from Hays County Jail)
    Image: Newsweek
    Chad Michael Watts, 45, of Kyle, Texas, was arrested on Tuesday on two counts of assault causing bodily injury. (Photo from Hays County Jail) Source Full size
  • U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks during the annual March for Life rally on the National Mall on January 23, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks during the annual March for Life rally on the National Mall on January 23, 2026 in Washington, DC. Source Full size
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  • Alex Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital
    Image: BBC
    Alex Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital (AP) Source Full size
  • Chad Michael Watts, 45, of Kyle, Texas, was arrested on Tuesday on two counts of assault causing bodily injury. (Photo from Hays County Jail)
    Image: Newsweek
    Chad Michael Watts, 45, of Kyle, Texas, was arrested on Tuesday on two counts of assault causing bodily injury. (Photo from Hays County Jail) Source Full size
  • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 27: Demonstrators protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota on January 27, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protests and demonstrations continue around Minneapolis in the aftermath of the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal law enforcement.
    Image: Newsweek
    MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 27: Demonstrators protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota on January 27, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protests and demonstrations continue around Minneapolis in the aftermath of the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal law enforcement. Source Full size
  • U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks during the annual March for Life rally on the National Mall on January 23, 2026 in Washington, DC.
    Image: Newsweek
    U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks during the annual March for Life rally on the National Mall on January 23, 2026 in Washington, DC. Source Full size
  • A photograph of Alex Pretti rests at a vigil for the 37-year-old in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    A photograph of Alex Pretti rests at a vigil for the 37-year-old in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. Source Full size
  • Ammon Bundy speaks at a campaign event in Boise, Idaho on June 19, 2021.
    Image: Newsweek
    Ammon Bundy speaks at a campaign event in Boise, Idaho on June 19, 2021. Source Full size
  • People visit a makeshift memorial for 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer last week, in Minneapolis, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)
    Image: Newsweek
    People visit a makeshift memorial for 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer last week, in Minneapolis, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy) Source Full size
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Drawdown of ICE forces announced amid political pressure White‑house border czar Tom Homan said 700 of the 3,000‑strong ICE team in Minneapolis will be pulled back, leaving roughly 2,000 agents and aiming to revert to pre‑Operation Metro Surge levels; President Trump echoed the shift, urging a “softer touch” while remaining “tough” on hard criminals [1][2].

January shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good sparked nationwide backlash The Jan 7 killing of mother Renee Good and the Jan 24 shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents ignited protests, with polls showing 55‑62 % of Americans deeming the force excessive and Republican support for the agents dropping sharply; the incidents prompted calls for independent investigations and intensified scrutiny of the immigration crackdown [2][5][9][19].

Body‑camera rollout and DOJ civil‑rights probe respond to public outcry DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ordered immediate deployment of body‑worn cameras to every Minneapolis officer, a policy to expand nationally once funding is secured; the Department of Justice opened a civil‑rights investigation led by the FBI, and the two agents who fired on Pretti were placed on administrative leave [8][9][19][20].

State leaders, lawmakers, and Vice President push for accountability Governor Tim Walz welcomed the drawdown but demanded a faster, larger pullback and an independent probe; Democratic senators and representatives held hearings urging end to immigration‑related violence and introduced impeachment articles against Noem; Vice President JD Vance refused to apologize for labeling Pretti an “assassin,” while Trump pledged to personally monitor a “big investigation” [1][4][6][13].

Sources

Primary Data (2)

Quinnipac: Majority Of Voters Think Fatal Shooting Of Minneapolis Woman By Ice Agent Was Not Justified, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 57% Of Voters Disapprove Of The Way Ice Is Enforcing Immigration Laws

Published (4 tables/charts)

  • 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Kristi Noem is handling her job as Secretary of Homeland Security?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 36% 77% 4% 30% 43% 31%
    Disapprove 52 12 85 57 46 56
    DK/NA 12 11 11 13 11 14
    Source

  • 31. Do you approve or disapprove of the way U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, is enforcing immigration laws?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 40% 84% 4% 33% 48% 34%
    Disapprove 57 12 94 64 50 63
    DK/NA 3 4 2 3 2 4
    Source

  • 32. As you may know, an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis recently in an incident that was caught on video. Have you seen the video of this incident, or not?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Have seen 82% 83% 81% 84% 83% 81%
    No 18 16 19 15 17 19
    Source

  • 33. As far as you are aware, do you think this shooting was justified, or not justified?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Justified 35% 77% 4% 28% 42% 30%
    Not justified 53 10 92 59 44 61
    DK/NA 12 13 4 14 14 9
    Source

Quinnipac: 61% Of Voters Think The Trump Administration Has Not Given An Honest Account Of The Fatal Shooting Of Alex Pretti, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 58% Of Voters Think Dhs Secretary Kristi Noem Should Be Removed

Published (27 tables/charts)

  • 1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 37% 86% 3% 31% 45% 30%
    Disapprove 56 10 95 58 46 64
    DK/NA 7 4 2 11 8 6
    Source

  • 1a. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president? COMBINED WITH: (If approve/disapprove q1) Do you strongly or somewhat approve/disapprove?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve strongly 29% 70% 2% 22% 35% 24%
    Approve smwht 8 15 1 8 10 6
    Disapprove smwht 4 3 1 7 5 3
    Disapprove strongly 52 6 93 51 42 61
    DK/NA 7 5 3 11 9 6
    Source

  • 2. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Very satisfied 14% 32% 2% 12% 19% 10%
    Smwht satisfied 20 42 2 20 23 17
    Smwht dissatisfied 15 15 12 16 16 14
    Very dissatisfied 49 10 83 51 40 57
    DK/NA 2 2 1 - 2 1
    Source

  • 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - the economy?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 39% 84% 4% 34% 48% 31%
    Disapprove 56 11 94 60 47 65
    DK/NA 5 5 2 6 5 4
    Source

  • 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - foreign policy?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 37% 83% 3% 31% 45% 30%
    Disapprove 58 13 95 63 49 67
    DK/NA 5 4 2 6 6 4
    Source

  • 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling - immigration issues?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 38% 87% 3% 31% 47% 30%
    Disapprove 59 10 96 65 50 67
    DK/NA 3 4 1 4 3 3
    Source

  • 6. Would you say you are optimistic or pessimistic about freedom of speech being protected in the United States?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Optimistic 47% 78% 22% 46% 56% 39%
    Pessimistic 47 15 73 48 37 56
    DK/NA 6 7 5 6 7 4
    Source

  • 7. Do you think the system of democracy in the United States is working, or not?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Working 41% 72% 17% 40% 49% 34%
    No 51 18 79 52 45 57
    DK/NA 7 10 4 8 6 9
    Source

  • 8. If you had to choose, which would you prefer: giving most undocumented immigrants in the United States a pathway to legal status or deporting most undocumented immigrants in the United States?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Giving pathway 59% 19% 92% 61% 51% 66%
    Deporting 34 73 4 33 43 27
    DK/NA 7 7 4 6 6 7
    Source

  • 9. In its treatment of undocumented immigrants in the United States, do you think the Trump administration is being: too harsh, too lenient, or handling this about right?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Too harsh 60% 14% 95% 68% 52% 68%
    Too lenient 7 15 1 5 11 3
    About right 30 67 2 26 35 26
    DK/NA 3 4 2 2 3 3
    Source

  • 10. Do you think the Trump administration's approach to immigration is making the country more safe, less safe, or is not affecting it either way?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    More safe 35% 77% 4% 29% 43% 28%
    Less safe 51 9 85 54 42 59
    Not affecting 12 12 11 13 13 11
    DK/NA 2 2 - 4 2 2
    Source

  • 11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, is enforcing immigration laws?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Approve 34% 77% 2% 28% 43% 25%
    Disapprove 63 17 97 68 54 70
    DK/NA 4 5 1 4 3 4
    Source

  • 12. ICE is one of the agencies run by Kristi Noem, the secretary of Homeland Security. Do you think Noem should remain in her job or should be removed from her job?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Remain 34% 74% 5% 29% 41% 27%
    Removed 58 17 91 62 51 64
    DK/NA 8 9 4 9 8 8
    Source

  • 13. As you may know, ICE agents fatally shot a man in Minneapolis named Alex Pretti in an incident on January 24th that was captured on video. Have you seen video of this incident, or not?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Have seen 78% 74% 82% 79% 84% 73%
    No 21 26 17 21 16 26
    DK/NA 1 - 1 1 - 1
    Source

  • 14. As far as you are aware, do you think this shooting was justified, or not justified?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Justified 22% 55% 2% 16% 28% 17%
    Not justified 62 20 94 66 55 68
    DK/NA 16 25 4 18 17 15
    Source

  • 15. Do you think the Trump administration has given an honest account of the incident, or don't you think so?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Honest 25% 60% 2% 20% 29% 22%
    No 61 19 93 65 54 67
    DK/NA 14 21 5 15 17 11
    Source

  • 16. Do you think there should be an independent investigation into this shooting, or don't you think so?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Should 80% 56% 96% 85% 78% 82%
    No 15 36 3 12 17 14
    DK/NA 4 8 1 4 5 4
    Source

  • 17. Do you think the recent ICE-involved shootings in Minneapolis: are isolated incidents or are a sign of broader problems in the way ICE is operating?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Isolated incidents 32% 67% 6% 28% 38% 27%
    Broader problems 59 17 92 63 52 65
    DK/NA 9 17 2 9 10 8
    Source

  • 18. Do you think ICE should withdraw from Minneapolis or continue its operations in Minneapolis?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Withdraw 60% 18% 94% 64% 52% 68%
    Continue 36 77 4 32 45 28
    DK/NA 4 4 2 4 4 4
    Source

  • 19. Do you support or oppose recent protests against ICE?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Support 60% 18% 94% 65% 53% 66%
    Oppose 35 76 5 29 40 30
    DK/NA 5 6 1 7 6 4
    Source

  • 20. Do you think the Trump administration has deployed ICE agents in Minneapolis: more for legitimate law enforcement purposes or more for political reasons?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Law enforcement 37% 80% 6% 31% 46% 29%
    Political 56 13 90 61 47 64
    DK/NA 7 8 4 8 7 8
    Source

  • 21. Thinking about people in your family, community, work or school, would you say you know someone who is living in fear because of the Trump administration's deportation policies, or not?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Know 47% 19% 65% 51% 40% 53%
    No 51 81 30 48 59 44
    DK/NA 3 - 4 1 2 3
    Source

  • 22. Do you think ICE agents should be required to wear body cameras, or not?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Required 92% 83% 99% 94% 89% 95%
    No 5 11 - 3 8 2
    DK/NA 3 6 1 3 3 3
    Source

  • 23. Do you think ICE agents should be permitted to wear masks or other face coverings, or not?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Yes/Permitted 35% 73% 6% 32% 45% 27%
    No 61 23 93 65 52 70
    DK/NA 3 4 1 3 3 3
    Source

  • 24. As you may know, ICE agents are going to be joining the U.S. security team at the Olympics in Italy. Do you think this is a good idea or bad idea?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Good idea 24% 52% 5% 21% 30% 19%
    Bad idea 63 26 91 66 55 69
    DK/NA 13 22 4 13 15 12
    Source

  • 25. Do you think the federal government should provide more funding for ICE, less funding for ICE, or keep ICE funding at about its current level?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    More funding 14% 36% 1% 9% 18% 11%
    Less funding 51 10 84 57 43 59
    Keep current 30 49 11 30 34 26
    DK/NA 5 5 4 4 5 5
    Source

  • 26. As you may know, the United States bombed nuclear facilities in Iran last summer. Do you support or oppose additional U.S. military strikes against Iran to try to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons?

    Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom
    Support 45% 81% 16% 43% 54% 37%
    Oppose 42 10 69 43 35 48
    DK/NA 13 9 16 13 12 15
    Source

Videos (6)

Timeline

Dec 1 2025 – The Trump administration launches Operation Metro Surge, deploying roughly 3,000 federal immigration officers to Minnesota, a sweep that later sparks protests after two fatal shootings [4].

Jan 7 2026 – ICE officer shoots and kills Renee Good, a 37‑year‑old Minnesota activist, during a protest, igniting nationwide outrage and prompting calls for a federal investigation [4][24].

Jan 24 2026 – ICU nurse Alex Pretti is fatally shot by two federal agents in south‑Minneapolis; video later shows him holding a phone, not a weapon, while intervening to protect a woman being sprayed with chemicals [28][30][11].

Jan 25 2026 – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz orders the National Guard to the shooting site and files a lawsuit seeking to reduce the federal presence to pre‑surge levels; DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labels Pretti a “domestic terrorist” despite lack of evidence [29][24][26].

Jan 26 2026 – President Trump announces border czar Tom Homan will travel to Minneapolis to address unrest, while U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez begins hearings on a temporary halt to the immigration crackdown [21][27]; a federal judge blocks evidence‑tampering in the Pretti case [12].

Jan 27 2026 – Trump posts on Truth Social that his call with Gov. Walz was “very good,” signaling a retreat; the White House confirms Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino will be replaced (though not fired) and Homan promises a “more targeted” operation [18][16][13]; Senate and House Republicans call for investigations as the DHS funding fight looms [5].

Jan 28 2026 – Trump tells reporters “you can’t have guns” after Pretti’s death, prompting an immediate rebuttal from the NRA defending lawful gun owners [15]; CNN hosts a live town‑hall with Mayor Jacob Frey, and a by‑stander in a pink coat gives her first on‑air interview, rejecting Noem’s claim that Pretti intended “maximum damage” [14][13].

Jan 29 2026 – Homan declines to comment on the Pretti shooting pending investigations, while a federal judge issues an order preventing the administration from destroying or altering evidence related to the case [12].

Jan 30 2026 – The DOJ opens a civil‑rights probe into Pretti’s killing, assigning the FBI as lead and placing the two agents on administrative leave [4]; the White House says agents will be drawn down if state and local officials cooperate, though no numbers are given [5]; Congress blocks DHS funding amid a partial shutdown, with Democrats demanding reforms to ICE tactics [5][10].

Feb 2 2026 – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announces immediate deployment of body‑worn cameras to every federal officer in Minneapolis, with plans to expand nationwide once funding is secured [2]; a bomb‑threat hoax forces Columbia Heights schools to close, underscoring ongoing community tension [3].

Feb 3 2026 – A public Capitol Hill forum convenes, featuring three witnesses who recount aggressive DHS encounters, including the families of Renee Good; no DHS officials appear [7].

Feb 4 2026 – President Trump urges a “softer touch” as his administration withdraws roughly 700 agents (a quarter of the force) from Minnesota, leaving about 2,000 officers and promising to return to pre‑surge levels [1].

Feb 5 2026 – Vice President JD Vance declines to apologize for resharing a claim that Pretti was an “assassin,” stating he will not “prejudge” the investigation [6].

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