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ICE Shootings in Minneapolis Prompt Federal Reassessment and Deep GOP Rift

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  • TOPSHOT – A federal agent lobs a teargas canister towards protesters as agents advance through clouds of tear gas during clashes following the fatal shooting of a protester earlier in the day, on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, officials said — the second fatal shooting of a civilian in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer involved in sweeps to round up undocumented migrants. (Photo by Kerem YUCEL / AFP via Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    TOPSHOT – A federal agent lobs a teargas canister towards protesters as agents advance through clouds of tear gas during clashes following the fatal shooting of a protester earlier in the day, on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, officials said — the second fatal shooting of a civilian in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer involved in sweeps to round up undocumented migrants. (Photo by Kerem YUCEL / AFP via Getty Images) 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
  • Martha Stewart exiting the “Today” show on November 13, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    Martha Stewart exiting the “Today” show on November 13, 2025. 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
  • Martha Stewart exiting the “Today” show on November 13, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    Martha Stewart exiting the “Today” show on November 13, 2025. Source Full size
  • TOPSHOT – A federal agent lobs a teargas canister towards protesters as agents advance through clouds of tear gas during clashes following the fatal shooting of a protester earlier in the day, on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, officials said — the second fatal shooting of a civilian in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer involved in sweeps to round up undocumented migrants. (Photo by Kerem YUCEL / AFP via Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    TOPSHOT – A federal agent lobs a teargas canister towards protesters as agents advance through clouds of tear gas during clashes following the fatal shooting of a protester earlier in the day, on January 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Federal immigration agents shot dead a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, officials said — the second fatal shooting of a civilian in the city, sparking fresh protests and outrage from state officials. The death came less than three weeks after US citizen Renee Good was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer involved in sweeps to round up undocumented migrants. (Photo by Kerem YUCEL / AFP via Getty Images) Source Full size

Two Fatal Encounters Ignite Immediate ICE Backlash On Jan. 25, 2026, Border Patrol officer shot 37‑year‑old nurse Alex Pretti during a Minneapolis protest; video shows him surrounded by six agents without brandishing his licensed 9 mm handgun [5]. Earlier, ICE agents killed Renee Good in a separate Minneapolis raid, making the city the site of two American deaths within weeks [3][4]. The incidents sparked nationwide protests, viral videos, and demands for accountability from both the public and elected officials [1][3][4].

Republican Leadership Splits Over Enforcement Narrative DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Pretti’s killing “domestic terrorism,” while Deputy White House chief Stephen Miller called him an “assassin,” prompting criticism from GOP senators Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, and Rep. Andrew Garbarino who called for investigations [3][4][5]. Conversely, Republican rank‑and‑file such as Senators Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis joined a rare bipartisan chorus urging formal probes [4][5]. GOP strategists warned the controversy could jeopardize Republican prospects in swing states, highlighting internal tension over Trump’s hard‑line immigration agenda [3][4].

Polls Show Record Low Support for ICE and Trump’s Immigration Policy A YouGov poll conducted hours after Pretti’s death found 46 % of Americans now favor abolishing ICE, up from previous levels, with Republican support for abolition rising to 19 % [3]. CNN‑analyzed data reported all‑time‑low approval for ICE, DHS, and Noem, while an AP‑NORC poll showed President Trump’s immigration approval slipping to 38 % [1][5]. These figures reflect a sharp decline in public confidence following the Minneapolis shootings and the viral footage of the incidents [1][3][5].

Administration Reassigns Minneapolis Liaison and Scales Back Regional Operations President Trump announced border czar Tom Homan will serve as the primary point of contact for Minneapolis, sidelining former liaison Gregory Bovino and signaling a possible reduction of agents in the city [4][3]. Senator Susan Collins confirmed ICE ended its special enforcement operation in Maine, while Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison secured a new protocol allowing county jails to notify ICE of inmate release dates [1][3]. These moves aim to temper tensions while preserving federal enforcement capabilities in other jurisdictions [1][4].

Public Figures Amplify Calls for Reform and Highlight Gun‑Rights Debate Martha Stewart shared her 14‑year‑old granddaughter’s plea for ICE accountability on Instagram, joining over 60 corporations and celebrities—including Natalie Portman and Katy Perry—who condemned the agency’s tactics [2]. The National Rifle Association and Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus defended Pretti’s lawful firearm carry, urging a fair investigation before demonizing law‑abiding gun owners [5]. Influencers and fans responded positively to Stewart’s post, illustrating the cultural ripple of the Minneapolis events [2].

Sources

Timeline

Early Jan 2026 – An ICE raid in Minneapolis kills U.S. citizen Renee Good, sparking nationwide protests and marking the first fatal shooting of an American by federal immigration agents in the city, a catalyst for the ensuing controversy [4][5].

Jan 25, 2026 – Border Patrol officer shoots and kills 37‑year‑old intensive‑care nurse Alex Pretti during a Minneapolis protest; video shows Pretti unarmed and holding a phone while agents surround him [5]; Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claims Pretti “approached” officers with a gun, and Deputy White House chief Stephen Miller brands him an “assassin” and “domestic terrorist” [5].

Jan 26, 2026 – Republican leaders clash over the fallout: Noem labels the killing “domestic terrorism,” while Senators Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Rep. Thomas Massie and House Homeland Security Chair Andrew Garbarino call for investigations and hearings [4]; a YouGov poll shows 46 % of Americans now support abolishing ICE, with Republican support rising to a record 19 % [4]; President Trump signals a policy shift, saying he will “reduce the number of ICE agents” in Minneapolis and appoints “border czar” Tom Homan as the city’s liaison [4][1].

Jan 26, 2026 – GOP unease deepens as the second fatal ICE shooting prompts Senators Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis, joined by other typically quiet Republicans, to demand formal investigations and testimony from top immigration officials [1]; House Oversight Chairman James Comer floats moving ICE operations out of Minneapolis, letting local residents decide on the presence of “illegals” [1]; White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says she has not heard Trump call Pretti a domestic terrorist [1].

Jan 27, 2026 – President Trump hints “at some point we will leave” Minneapolis and signals willingness to cut back federal agents after a call with Governor Tim Walz; Senate Majority Leader John Thune praises the appointment of Tom Homan as a step toward lowering tensions [1].

Jan 28, 2026 – Martha Stewart posts her 14‑year‑old granddaughter’s message, “I’m not sure it’s excusable to not be speaking up right now,” on Instagram, expressing being “disheartened and sad” and calling for “quick and peaceful” change; the post adds Stewart to a growing list of public figures condemning ICE’s tactics [3].

Jan 30, 2026 – A House Democratic resolution to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem gains backing from more than three‑quarters of House Democrats, though passage is unlikely in the GOP‑controlled chamber [2]; Tom Homan admits “nothing’s ever perfect” in federal immigration operations and pledges safer, more efficient ICE missions [2]; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison secures a new protocol allowing county jails to alert ICE of release dates for inmates deemed “criminal public safety risks” [2]; Senator Susan Collins confirms ICE ends its special enforcement operation in Maine, signaling a regional shift [2]; CNN‑analyzed polls record all‑time low approval for ICE, DHS and Noem [2].

Mid‑2026 (planned) – Congressional hearings and investigations into the Minneapolis ICE operation and Pretti’s killing commence, with Senate leaders Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins and Rand Paul, and House Republicans demanding full, independent reviews and testimonies [4]; House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino, joined by Senators Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Michael McCaul, push for a joint federal‑state probe to ensure transparency and public safety [5].

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