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Trump Sends Border Czar to Minnesota as Bovino Departs Amid Pretti Shooting Fallout

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Bovino’s exit and Homan’s arrival reshape federal presence Gregory Bovino and several Border Patrol agents are slated to leave Minneapolis on Tuesday, a move described by multiple outlets as a “mutual decision” after intense criticism of the agency’s handling of the Alex Pretti shooting[1][9]. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of White House “border czar” Tom Homan to oversee ICE operations in Minnesota, positioning him as the on‑ground point of contact[2][15]. Trump held calls with Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, describing the conversations as “very good” and signaling a softer tone toward state leaders[4][15]. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Homan will lead the local mission while Bovino remains a key national figure[19][10].

Alex Pretti’s killing fuels contested narratives On Saturday, 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot multiple times by a Border Patrol officer during a protest‑related encounter, becoming the second U.S. citizen killed by federal officers in Minneapolis this month[1][13]. DHS initially claimed Pretti brandished a legally owned handgun and resisted disarmament, but eyewitnesses, family members, and video analysis from BBC Verify and CNN show he was holding only a cellphone and never drew a weapon[1][17]. Pretti held a valid Minnesota concealed‑carry permit, though investigators have not confirmed he was armed at the time[13]. The administration’s early labeling of Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” and “assassin” was later down‑played by the White House, which said Trump never used those terms[7][15].

Legal battles and bipartisan calls for accountability Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul sued DHS to revert to pre‑surge agent levels, and Judge Katherine Menendez ordered additional briefing on the case, questioning the legality of Operation Metro Surge[3][16]. The state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension secured a federal order preventing the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence, reflecting deep mistrust of federal investigations[14][17]. Senators from both parties, including Ted Cruz, Bill Cassidy, and John Curtis, demanded transparent, independent probes, while Republican governors urged a “recalibration” of the enforcement strategy[1][4]. Congressional Democrats are withholding DHS funding pending reforms, creating a potential shutdown standoff[20].

Immigration enforcement remains extensive amid protests Approximately 3,000 ICE and CBP officers continue operating in the Minneapolis area under Operation Metro Surge, despite the announced leadership change[1][9]. Local protests persist, with about a hundred demonstrators gathering outside Bovino’s presumed hotel and vigils held for Pretti, while Seattle saw a separate anti‑ICE rally urging senators to block funding[1][6]. Governor Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard to support local police and protect First‑Amendment rights during demonstrations[16]. The federal‑state clash over immigration tactics has intensified public scrutiny and polarized political discourse nationwide[8][18].

Sources (21 articles)

Timeline

Jan 2025 – President Donald Trump is inaugurated and immediately launches a nationwide mass‑deportation initiative, expanding ICE’s authority to conduct arrests in public places and dramatically increasing its budget and mission scope[5].

Dec 2025 – A fraud case involving Minnesota’s Somali community and state welfare programmes fuels local resentment toward the federal immigration presence, heightening tensions ahead of the 2026 enforcement surge[1].

Jan 7, 2026 – ICE agent Jonathan E. Ross fatally shoots 37‑year‑old mother of three Renee Good during a traffic stop in south‑Minneapolis; DHS claims she tried to ram the officer, while video later shows the vehicle striking parked cars before stopping[12][23].

Jan 8, 2026 – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly orders ICE “to get the f*** out of Minneapolis,” rejecting the federal self‑defence narrative and demanding a criminal investigation[23].

Jan 8, 2026 – DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin asserts the ICE officer acted in self‑defence after the driver “tried to ram” agents, framing the shooting as a justified response to a vehicle‑weapon threat[26].

Jan 8, 2026 – Thousands attend a vigil at East 34th & Portland Avenue, honoring Good and condemning the federal killing; city officials pledge accountability and the BCA and FBI open parallel investigations[27].

Jan 8, 2026 – A cellphone video circulates showing the Honda Pilot reversing, turning, and accelerating before agents fire, sparking national debate over the legality of shooting at moving vehicles[28].

Jan 8, 2026 – Legal scholars explain that cities cannot expel federal agents, noting that sanctuary policies only limit local cooperation and do not preempt federal law enforcement authority[23].

Jan 9, 2026 – Former ICE officials split on the Good shooting: one defends the use of force as justified, while another (Harun Ahmed) says the incident conflicts with DHS use‑of‑force guidance[20].

Jan 9, 2026 – A Border Patrol agent shoots a married couple in Portland, Oregon, prompting protests and a federal investigation, while Minnesota authorises the National Guard to assist with escalating demonstrations in Minneapolis[21].

Jan 10, 2026 – Congressional leaders react to Good’s death: Democrats and some Republicans call for a full ICE investigation and threaten to withhold DHS funding unless oversight is added, risking a partial government shutdown on Jan 31[19].

Jan 11, 2026 – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announces that “hundreds more” federal officers will arrive in Minneapolis over the next two days to support ICE and Border Patrol operations[17].

Jan 11, 2026 – Nationwide anti‑ICE protests draw thousands in Minneapolis and dozens of other cities, underscoring broad public backlash to the federal immigration crackdown[18].

Jan 12, 2026 – Judge Kate Menendez (Biden‑appointed) declines to issue a temporary restraining order against Minnesota’s ICE raids, citing a need for more evidence and setting filing deadlines for the government (Jan 19) and the state (Jan 22)[13].

Jan 12, 2026 – Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul file a federal lawsuit seeking to halt the “Operation Metro Surge” immigration enforcement, alleging violations of First‑Amendment and constitutional rights[16].

Jan 13, 2026 – The state sues to block the deployment of roughly 2,000 federal immigration agents, accusing the surge of “unconstitutional federal invasion” and demanding a court order to stop operations[15].

Jan 13, 2026 – Five U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutors resign amid controversy over the handling of the Good investigation, while the DOJ says no civil‑rights probe is warranted[14].

Jan 14, 2026 – The same judge (Menendez) again refuses to block ICE raids, reiterating that additional filings are required before a restraining order can be considered[13].

Jan 15, 2026 – DHS announces plans to increase its Minnesota deployment beyond 2,000 agents, citing “hundreds more” to be sent to ensure officer safety amid the surge[5].

Jan 17, 2026 – President Trump orders a full review of the Pretti shooting and hints that federal agents will eventually be withdrawn from Minneapolis, though no timeline is provided[4].

Jan 18, 2026 – Federal agents clash with protesters after the Pretti shooting, using tear‑gas and flash‑bangs; KARE 11 anchor Jana Shortal is pepper‑sprayed despite identifying herself as press[9].

Jan 20, 2026 – Minnesota law‑enforcement leaders publicly accuse ICE of racially profiling U.S. citizens, citing multiple incidents where agents stopped people based on skin colour and even drew guns on an off‑duty Brooklyn Park officer[11].

Jan 21, 2026 – ICE agents draw firearms on an off‑duty Brooklyn Park police officer during a traffic stop, knocking her phone from her hand and raising concerns about overreach and community trust[10].

Jan 24, 2026 – ICU nurse Alex Pretti is shot multiple times by Border Patrol agents on Nicollet Ave. after confronting them while filming; DHS claims he brandished a handgun, but video and eyewitnesses show no weapon[3][7].

Jan 24, 2026 – Dozens gather near the Pretti shooting site, chanting “ICE Out” and confronting federal officers who respond with tear‑gas and flash‑bangs[9].

Jan 25, 2026 – Bellingcat synchronises three by‑stander videos, exposing inconsistencies in the official account of the Pretti killing and labeling the government’s narrative as “lying”[7].

Jan 25, 2026 – CNN analysis shows a federal officer retrieving a firearm from Pretti’s waistband before the shots fire, contradicting claims that Pretti fired first[8].

Jan 26, 2026 – The Trump administration abandons its “deny and attack” rhetoric, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt refusing to repeat Stephen Miller’s “domestic terrorist” label for Pretti and promising a full investigation[2].

Jan 26, 2026 – President Trump appoints “border czar” Tom Homan to oversee Minnesota law‑enforcement efforts, describing him as “tough but fair” and signalling a shift toward a more measured federal presence[2].

Jan 26, 2026 – Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Brian Schatz, announce they will block DHS funding unless stronger ICE oversight is added, threatening a partial shutdown on Jan 31[2].

Jan 27, 2026 – Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino prepares to leave Minneapolis after the Pretti shooting; Tom Homan assumes on‑the‑ground leadership, suggesting the administration may scale back its aggressive immigration crackdown[1].

Future (as of Jan 27, 2026) – The DHS‑ordered review of the Pretti shooting remains ongoing, and the administration signals that agents will eventually be withdrawn from Minneapolis, though no specific timeline is set[4].

Future (as of Jan 27, 2026) – If Senate Democrats follow through, a partial federal government shutdown could occur on Jan 31 unless DHS funding is amended to include ICE oversight provisions[2].

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