WASHINGTON D.C January 24, 2026 – President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Minnesota officials on Saturday, accusing Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of “inciting insurrection” following a fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents in the city. The incident, which resulted in the death of a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, marks the third such encounter between federal officers and locals amid ongoing deportation operations targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
The shooting occurred on January 24 in Minneapolis, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents reportedly opened fire on Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs ICU nurse and lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. According to initial reports, Pretti was recording an altercation involving federal agents and a woman who had been pepper-sprayed and pushed to the ground. Witnesses claim agents pistol-whipped Pretti, removed his legally carried firearm from his belt, and then shot him. Federal officials have described the event as a confrontation during an enforcement action, but details remain under investigation by the Department of Justice.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump blamed Walz and Frey for the violence, stating they are “inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric.” He further criticized their “sanctimonious political fools” stance and sanctuary city policies, which he claims have necessitated federal intervention to remove “the worst of the worst” criminals. Trump also questioned the absence of local police support, asking, “Where are the local police?”
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed Trump’s sentiments in a Fox News interview, defending the federal operations. Bondi highlighted crimes allegedly committed by deported individuals, including sodomy, rape, and child fondling, attributing their presence in Minnesota to state and local policies under Walz, Frey, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. “Donald Trump is going to protect the citizens of our country,” Bondi stated, emphasizing that ICE agents are in Minneapolis to safeguard residents from threats invited by sanctuary designations.
Governor Walz condemned the shooting and the federal presence, describing it as a “federal occupation” and calling for an immediate withdrawal of agents. “This is unacceptable in Minnesota,” Walz said in a statement, accusing the Trump administration of overreach and endangering civilians. Mayor Frey similarly criticized the operations, urging transparency in the investigation and highlighting community concerns over aggressive tactics.
The deportation efforts in Minnesota stem from Trump’s executive orders aimed at sanctuary jurisdictions, with federal agents targeting undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes. Critics, including Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), have decried the operations as divisive and reminiscent of past federal interventions in the state, such as during the 2020 protests. Omar was also mentioned in Trump’s rant, though she has not directly commented on the latest incident.
Reactions from elected officials have been swift and polarized. Republican supporters praised Trump’s tough stance on immigration, while Democrats called for accountability and de-escalation. Protests erupted near the shooting site, with demonstrators demanding justice for Pretti and an end to federal involvement.
The Department of Homeland Security has not released body camera footage or further details, citing an ongoing probe. This event adds to growing national debate over immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, and federal-local relations under the Trump administration.
As investigations continue, both sides remain entrenched, with Trump vowing to persist in protecting Americans and Minnesota leaders calling for restraint to prevent further violence.
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