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

Updated (22 articles)

Alex Pretti’s Fatal Shooting Sparks National Outcry On Saturday, 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot multiple times by a Border Patrol officer during a protest in Minneapolis, becoming the second U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration agents after activist Renee Good earlier in January [1][2][14]. Video evidence and local police records show Pretti was unarmed, holding only a phone, contradicting DHS claims that he possessed a handgun and was a “domestic terrorist” [14][2][6]. His parents and community leaders have condemned the administration’s narrative as “sickening lies,” while protests and vigils continue across the Twin Cities [1][5][15].

Federal Leadership Shift: Homan Replaces Bovino President Donald Trump announced the deployment of White House “border czar” Tom Homan to Minnesota to oversee ICE operations, describing him as “tough but fair” and the primary on‑the‑ground contact [14][9][15]. Simultaneously, Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and a contingent of agents are slated to leave Minneapolis as early as Tuesday, a move framed as a mutual decision after internal frustration with Bovino’s handling of the fallout [2][6][11]. DHS suspended Bovino’s social‑media access and reiterated that he has not been relieved of his nationwide duties, while Homan’s arrival is expected to signal a de‑escalation of the aggressive “Operation Metro Surge” enforcement strategy [3][5][8].

Legal Challenges and Calls for Federal Pullback Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul have sued the Department of Homeland Security seeking to revert to pre‑surge staffing levels, arguing the operation violates state sovereignty and endangers residents [3][18][19]. U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez is hearing arguments on a temporary halt to the crackdown, with 19 states and the District of Columbia filing amicus briefs supporting the states’ request [18][19][8]. The Biden‑era‑style oversight push is accompanied by a DOJ withdrawal of arrest warrants for journalist Don Lemon and a temporary restraining order aimed at preserving evidence related to the Pretti shooting [5][12].

Political Reactions and Public Opinion Turn Against ICE Republican senators, including Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham and John Curtis, have called for transparent investigations, while other GOP members such as Rep. Dusty Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune urge congressional hearings [1][9][16]. Senate Democrats, led by Brian Schatz, threaten to block DHS funding unless stricter oversight is imposed, raising the specter of a partial government shutdown [14][12][13]. Recent polls show a majority of Americans view the fatal shootings as inappropriate and express declining support for ICE, with approval of Trump’s immigration policy falling to 38 % [12][13][16].

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Timeline

Dec 1, 2025 – The Trump administration launches “Operation Metro Surge,” deploying roughly 3,000 ICE and Customs and Border Patrol agents to the Minneapolis region as part of a nationwide immigration‑enforcement push [20].

Jan 7, 2026 – ICE officers fatally shoot activist Renee Nicole Good during a raid in Minneapolis, the first U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration officers and a flashpoint for nationwide outrage [1][18].

Jan 25, 2026 – Border Patrol officer shoots 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti during a protest on Eat Street; video shows Pretti holding only a phone, contradicting agency claims that he brandished a handgun [18][19].

Jan 26, 2026 – President Donald Trump announces he is sending “border czar” Tom Homan to Minnesota to oversee ICE operations, describing Homan as “tough but fair” and saying he will report directly to the president [9][13][8].

Jan 26, 2026 – Trump posts on Truth Social that his phone call with Governor Tim Walz was “very good” and that “lots of progress is being made,” marking a tone shift toward cooperation [12][3].

Jan 26, 2026 – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem calls Pretti a “domestic terrorist” and alleges he brandished a 9 mm handgun; Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly rejects the terrorist label [9][4].

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 government shutdown by Friday [2][12].

Jan 26, 2026 – Republican senators Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham and John Curtis call for a transparent, independent investigation into Pretti’s death and urge a measured federal response [1].

Jan 26, 2026 – House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino and a coalition of GOP lawmakers request a joint federal‑state probe of the Pretti shooting, joining a growing bipartisan chorus for accountability [18].

Jan 26, 2026 – Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade urges Trump three times to dispatch Homan; minutes later Trump announces Homan’s deployment, illustrating media influence on the decision [8].

Jan 27, 2026 – Trump again posts on Truth Social that he and Governor Walz are “on a similar wavelength,” reinforcing a conciliatory stance after the shooting [15][3].

Jan 27, 2026 – Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and a contingent of agents are slated to leave Minneapolis on Tuesday, described as a “mutual decision” after frustration with his handling of the Pretti case [5][19][21].

Jan 27, 2026 – The White House suspends Bovino’s access to his social‑media accounts following his online exchanges with lawmakers about the shooting [5][7].

Jan 27, 2026 – Tom Homan is named the primary point of contact on the ground; he is scheduled to meet Governor Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey on Tuesday to discuss scaling back the federal presence [4][14][7].

Jan 27, 2026 – Protesters gather outside the hotel where Bovino is believed to be staying, holding vigils and demanding his departure; residents voice fear and anger over the ongoing enforcement surge [1].

Jan 27, 2026 – U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez orders the government to submit a new briefing by 6 p.m. Wednesday and questions whether the surge aims to punish sanctuary policies [14][20].

Jan 27, 2026 – Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul continue their lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to roll back Operation Metro Surge to pre‑December‑1 levels; the case proceeds without an immediate ruling [12][20].

Jan 27, 2026 – Mayor Jacob Frey announces that some federal agents will begin departing the area the next day, while the city will cooperate on legitimate criminal investigations but refuse unconstitutional immigration arrests [12].

Jan 27, 2026 – The Justice Department withdraws its request for arrest warrants against journalist Don Lemon and four others linked to an anti‑ICE protest, though prosecutors retain the option to pursue charges via a grand jury [7].

Jan 27, 2026 – Republican governors Greg Abbott and Phil Scott publicly urge Trump to “recalibrate” the Minnesota operation, joining other GOP leaders calling for a reduction in federal agents [15].

Jan 27, 2026 – Minnesota GOP gubernatorial hopeful Chris Madel quits the race, calling the immigration raid an “unmitigated disaster” [15].

Jan 27, 2026 – New polls show public approval of Trump’s immigration handling falls to 38 % and 46 % now support abolishing ICE, reflecting sharp backlash after the two Minneapolis shootings [17][18].

Jan 27, 2026 – The six‑bill, multi‑trillion‑dollar omnibus appropriations package, which includes DHS funding, faces a midnight‑Friday deadline; failure to resolve could trigger a partial federal shutdown [17].

Jan 27, 2026 – Tom Homan’s four‑decade law‑enforcement career is highlighted: he began as a Border Patrol agent in 1984, led ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations under Obama, and previously served as the administration’s border czar in 2019 [16].

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