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Trump Administration Pulls 700 ICE Agents From Minneapolis After Pretti Shooting

Updated (6 articles)
  • A woman holds a placard with an upside down American flag as mourners gather at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    A woman holds a placard with an upside down American flag as mourners gather at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026. Source Full size
  • A woman holds a placard with an upside down American flag as mourners gather at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026.
    Image: Newsweek
    A woman holds a placard with an upside down American flag as mourners gather at a makeshift memorial in the area where Alex Pretti was shot dead a day earlier by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026. Source Full size

Pretti Shooting Triggers Immediate ICE Drawdown The fatal shooting of 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis sparked an “immediate” withdrawal of 700 officers from the city’s 3,000‑strong ICE team, a move announced by White House border czar Tom Homan on February 4, 2026 [1]. The operation, launched only weeks earlier, became politically untenable after Pretti’s death, prompting the first major de‑escalation of the controversial crackdown [1][2]. Homan acknowledged operational flaws and pledged to make future missions safer and more efficient [2].

Political Leaders Face Backlash Over Minneapolis Operation DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversaw the operation, confronted an impeachment push from House Democrats, with more than three‑quarters supporting a resolution despite the GOP‑controlled chamber [2]. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison secured a new protocol requiring county jails to notify ICE of release dates for inmates deemed public‑safety risks, tightening state‑level coordination with federal enforcement [2]. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Susan Collins confirmed ICE’s termination of a special enforcement operation in Maine, signaling a broader shift in regional tactics [2].

Public Opinion Slumps on ICE and DHS An Ipsos poll released after the drawdown found 55 % of respondents viewed Pretti’s killing as excessive force, while only 16 % deemed it necessary, a three‑to‑one split that drove Republican support for the agents down to 33 % [1]. Quinnipiac’s survey showed 62 % considered the shooting unjustified, widening the partisan gap to 40 points and dropping GOP justification from 77 % to 55 % [1]. Overall approval for ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and Noem hit record lows, with 62 % of the public saying ICE had gone “too far” and Trump’s immigration approval sinking to 39 % [1].

Trump Signals Softer Enforcement While Maintaining Tough Stance In an NBC News interview, President Donald Trump said the administration had learned it could adopt a “softer touch” without compromising toughness on “hard criminals,” reflecting a nuanced shift in rhetoric following the operational pullback [1]. He emphasized that the new approach would retain strict enforcement where necessary while avoiding the political fallout of high‑profile incidents [1].

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

Timeline

Summer 2025 – The Trump administration launches a 3,000‑agent ICE task force in Minneapolis, intensifying immigration enforcement and drawing early criticism from local officials [1][2].

Early Jan 2026 – An ICE agent fatally shoots 37‑year‑old Renee Good during a Minneapolis raid, marking the first U.S. citizen killed by ICE in the crackdown and sparking nationwide protests [3].

Jan 25, 2026 – A Border Patrol officer shoots and kills Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old intensive‑care nurse, at a Minneapolis protest; video shows Pretti unarmed and surrounded by agents, prompting immediate calls for a joint federal‑state investigation [6].

Jan 26, 2026 – Republican senators and representatives—including Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis, and House Homeland Security Chair Andrew Garbarino—publicly demand formal inquiries and testimony from ICE, CBP, and USCIS leaders [2][6].

Jan 26, 2026 – President Trump tells Governor Tim Walz he is willing to reduce the number of federal agents in Minneapolis and signals that “at some point we will leave” the city [2][5].

Jan 26, 2026 – The White House appoints border czar Tom Homan as the primary liaison for Minneapolis ICE operations, sidelining Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino [5].

Jan 26, 2026 – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labels Pretti’s killing “domestic terrorism,” while Deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller calls him an “assassin,” fueling partisan backlash [5][6].

Jan 27, 2026 – House Oversight Chairman James Comer floats moving ICE operations to another city and letting Minneapolis residents decide on the presence of “illegals,” indicating a possible strategic shift [2].

Jan 28, 2026 – Martha Stewart shares her 14‑year‑old granddaughter’s plea for her to speak out on ICE, joining more than 60 corporations and celebrities condemning the Minneapolis operation [4].

Jan 30, 2026 – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison secures a new protocol requiring county jails to notify ICE of release dates for inmates deemed “criminal public safety risks,” tightening federal‑state coordination [3].

Jan 30, 2026 – Republican Senator Susan Collins confirms ICE ends its special enforcement operation in Maine, marking a broader regional pullback [3].

Jan 30, 2026 – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem faces a House Democratic‑backed impeachment resolution, with more than three‑quarters of House Democrats supporting it [3].

Jan 30, 2026 – Tom Homan acknowledges operational flaws in federal immigration missions, promising safer and more efficient ICE deployments [3].

Feb 4, 2026 – The White House announces an “immediate” drawdown of 700 agents from the Minneapolis ICE force, reducing the team from 3,000 to 2,300 and marking the first major de‑escalation [1].

Feb 4, 2026 – President Trump tells NBC News the administration can adopt a “softer touch” while remaining “tough on hard criminals,” signaling a shift in rhetoric after the Pretti killing [1].

Feb 4, 2026 – An Ipsos poll finds 55% of Americans view Pretti’s death as excessive force, with Republican support for the agents dropping to 33%; a Quinnipiac poll shows 62% deem the shooting unjustified [1].

Feb 4, 2026 – Public backlash against ICE rises, with 62% saying the agency has gone “too far” and Trump’s immigration approval hitting a record low of 39% [1].

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