Federal‑State Clash Over Minneapolis Immigration Shooting Escalates With Lawsuit and Protective Order
Updated (2 articles)
Officials Trade Blame Over Shooting Narrative Governor Tim Walz condemned ICE actions, labeling the federal response “despicable” and urging President Trump to pull agents from Minnesota, while Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino first accused Alex Pretti of assaulting officers before saying he would await the investigation [1][2]. Both leaders delivered their statements at separate news conferences on Sunday, framing the incident as a test of federal power versus state authority. Their opposing narratives intensified the political fight over the immigration crackdown.
Video Shows Pretti Unarmed Until Agents Find Handgun By‑stander footage captured Pretti holding only a phone, with his left hand raised, as he stepped between an ICE officer and a woman [1][2]. After the scuffle, agents reported discovering a licensed concealed‑carry 9 mm pistol and fired several rounds into his back. The video contradicts the administration’s claim that agents fired “defensively,” highlighting a discrepancy between visual evidence and official statements.
Federal Authorities Block State Investigators, Judge Issues Order Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was denied entry to the shooting site despite presenting a judicial warrant, and federal officers prevented the team from securing the scene [1][2]. A federal judge subsequently issued a protective order prohibiting the Trump administration from destroying or altering any evidence related to the shooting. The BCA continues to work at the location under the court’s directive.
Lawsuit Seeks Evidence Access and Federal Accountability Attorney General Keith Ellison and county officials filed a lawsuit on Saturday demanding inspection of the evidence that state investigators have been barred from [2]. The complaint aims to prevent federal tampering and schedule a hearing for Monday in St. Paul federal court. National Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and former President Barack Obama, called for ICE’s removal from Minnesota, while the White House press secretary accused Walz of opposing law and order [1][2].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
AP: Federal and State Leaders Clash Over Minneapolis Immigration Shooting – Details the clash between Gov. Walz and Border Patrol’s Greg Bovino, the blocked state investigation, protective order, and reactions from national political figures .
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[2]
King5: Federal‑State Showdown Over Minneapolis Immigration Shooting – Highlights the same conflict, adds the lawsuit filed by Minnesota officials, and notes gun‑rights groups defending Pretti’s legal firearm possession .
Timeline
Jan 24, 2026 – ICE agents shoot Alex Pretti, a VA nurse, in the back after a scuffle at a Minneapolis immigration protest; by‑stander video shows Pretti holding only a phone before agents recover a licensed 9 mm handgun, contradicting the administration’s claim of a defensive discharge[1].
Jan 24, 2026 – Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino first accuses Pretti of “interfere, obstruct, delay or assault” officers, then retracts and says he will “await the investigation” before speculating on the shooting[1].
Jan 24, 2026 – Governor Tim Walz condemns the federal response, calling ICE agents “all‑powerful” and “despicable beyond all description,” and urges President Trump to pull ICE from Minnesota, framing the incident as a choice between federal overreach and a grieving nurse[1].
Jan 24, 2026 – Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is denied entry to the scene despite presenting a judicial warrant; a federal judge later issues a protective order prohibiting the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence[2].
Jan 25, 2026 – Attorney General Keith Ellison and county officials file a lawsuit demanding access to the shooting evidence and seeking to hold federal officials accountable, with a hearing set for the following Monday[2].
Jan 25, 2026 – National Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and former President Barack Obama, call for ICE’s removal from Minnesota; Obama labels the death a “heartbreaking tragedy,” while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt retorts that Walz “does not believe in law and order” on X[2].
Jan 25, 2026 – The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus issues a statement defending Pretti’s right to carry a concealed firearm at the protest, asserting that “every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms,” countering federal criticism of his armament[2].
Jan 26, 2026 – Federal and state leaders continue to clash publicly: Walz denounces the “despicable” federal stance, while the White House defends ICE; Pretti’s family and Democratic leaders condemn the shooting as “lies” from the administration[1].