President Donald Trump is under growing scrutiny as Minneapolis reels from the deaths of two Americans in the federal immigration crackdown. The latest tragedy occurred when 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents on an icy city roadway, less than three weeks after immigration officers fatally shot Renee Good, also 37, inside her car.
Trump blamed the incidents on what he called Democratic “chaos,” claiming on Truth Social that Minnesota officials were refusing to cooperate with ICE. “Tragically, two American Citizens have lost their lives as a result of this Democrat ensued chaos,” he wrote, singling out Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
Federal officials said Pretti intended to harm agents, citing a pistol reportedly found on him. But widely circulated video footage verified by US media showed Pretti never drew a weapon, with officers firing approximately ten shots after he was sprayed with chemical irritants and thrown to the ground.
The nurse’s parents condemned the administration’s characterization of their son as an “assassin,” calling it a string of “sickening lies.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News she was “grieved” for the family, while US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized a thorough investigation was necessary, noting, “I do not know. And nobody else knows, either. That’s why we’re doing an investigation.”
Several Republican senators have urged a transparent, joint probe with local authorities, after the Trump administration controversially excluded local investigators from the inquiry into Good’s death.
Governor Walz challenged the president directly, asking: “What’s the plan, Donald Trump? What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state?” Meanwhile, Minnesota business leaders from 60 corporations, including Target and General Mills, signed an open letter calling for “immediate de-escalation” and cooperation between federal, state, and local officials.
Since the start of “Operation Metro Surge,” thousands of federal agents have been deployed to Minneapolis, a city with one of the highest Somali immigrant populations in the U.S. Tensions have flared in the cold streets as residents use whistles to alert neighbors of ICE activity, and clashes with officers have sometimes turned violent.
Attorney General Keith Ellison refuted claims of immigration fraud, stating, “It’s not about fraud. If he sent people who understand forensic accounting, we’d be having a different conversation. But he’s sending armed masked men.”
A court hearing is set today as local authorities seek an order to halt the operation. Public sentiment appears to be shifting, with polling showing increased voter concern over Trump’s domestic immigration policies, especially as footage of masked officers seizing individuals, including children, circulates online.
Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama condemned Pretti’s death, calling it a “wake-up call” that core American values are under threat. They criticized the administration for seemingly escalating tensions rather than seeking solutions.
This tragedy has not only shaken Minneapolis but also raised deep questions about accountability, human dignity, and the value of every life. For the families affected, this is a personal loss; for the city, a somber reminder of the human cost behind political battles.
