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Trump Administration’s Minneapolis Shooting Faces Federal Probes, GOP Gun‑Rights Pushback, and Judicial Restraint

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Conflicting Narratives on Pretti’s Threat Level Multiple agencies initially described Alex Pretti as an armed aggressor who “brandished” a handgun and intended to “massacre” law‑enforcement officers [1][8][11]. Bystander videos released by the Associated Press, CNN, and other outlets show Pretti holding only a cellphone, assisting a pepper‑sprayed protester, and never drawing his weapon before a Border Patrol officer seized his firearm and fired [2][10][15]. State investigators and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) have filed lawsuits and obtained a federal restraining order to prevent the destruction or alteration of evidence, underscoring the dispute over the official account [6][17][19].

Federal Investigations Multiply Amid State‑Law Enforcement Objections The Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (HSI) leads a use‑of‑force probe, while the FBI processes physical evidence and CBP conducts an internal review [4][6][12]. No Justice Department civil‑rights investigation has been opened, though officials say one will be launched if warranted [4][14]. A federal judge barred the administration from tampering with evidence after the BCA sued, and the court order remains in effect [17][19].

Political Leaders Demand Transparency and Joint Inquiries Senators Bill Cassidy, John Curtis, and others have called for a joint federal‑state investigation and urged transparency to restore public trust [2][14][19]. Republican lawmakers such as Rep. Richard Hudson continue to sponsor concealed‑carry reciprocity legislation despite the controversy, while the NRA and Gun Owners of America publicly defended Pretti’s lawful gun ownership and demanded an independent probe [1][13][15]. Democratic figures, including former President Obama and Governor Tim Walz, have condemned the shooting and called for the removal of ICE agents from Minnesota [11][19][20].

Trump’s Direct Involvement and Shifting Messaging President Trump dispatched border‑czar Tom Homan to Minnesota, signaled a review of the incident, and hinted at a possible withdrawal of federal agents [1][11]. The White House later clarified that President Trump never labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” distancing the president from earlier harsh statements by Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem [2][8][14]. Meanwhile, the administration reaffirmed support for the Second Amendment while acknowledging that carrying firearms during police encounters raises the risk of force being used [1][8].

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Timeline

Dec 2025 – The Department of Homeland Security launches Operation Metro Surge, deploying thousands of ICE officers to the Minneapolis area, a move that later fuels tensions and multiple federal‑force incidents [24].

Jan 7, 2026 – ICE agents fatally shoot Renee Nicole Good, a 37‑year‑old Minneapolis resident, during a traffic‑stop raid, sparking daily protests and heightening scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement [24, 19].

Jan 14, 2026 – Federal agents wound Venezuelan migrant Julio Cesar Sosa‑Celis in the leg after he flees a traffic stop, adding a second violent encounter in the city within a week [24].

Jan 24, 2026 – At ≈9:03 a.m., Border Patrol agents open fire on Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old ICU nurse, killing him on East 26th St. and Nicolett Ave; Minneapolis police confirm he is a U.S. citizen and lawful gun owner [30, 21, 18].

Jan 24, 2026 – Bystander footage shows Pretti filming agents, stepping toward a pepper‑sprayed woman, and holding only a cellphone—no firearm is visible before officers seize a gun from his waistband [23, 30].

Jan 24, 2026 – Governor Tim Walz orders the Minnesota National Guard to assist local police at the shooting site and a nearby federal building, citing concerns for public safety [19, 29].

Jan 24, 2026 – President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social accusing Minnesota officials of “inciting insurrection,” sharing images of the recovered gun and claiming the shooting is a “cover‑up” [25, 23].

Jan 24, 2026 – The Department of Homeland Security asserts Pretti “brandished a 9 mm handgun” and “violently resisted” disarmament, framing the shots as defensive [24, 23].

Jan 24, 2026 – White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarifies she has not heard Trump call Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” despite harsher language from other officials [9].

Jan 24, 2026 – Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino tells reporters Pretti “wanted to … massacre law enforcement,” a claim later contradicted by video [5, 15].

Jan 24, 2026 – DHS posts a photo of a seized 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol with two magazines, presenting it as evidence of Pretti’s threat, though the image omits one magazine and no video shows the gun on his person [13, 26].

Jan 24, 2026 – Trump dispatches border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota, elevating him above DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol chief Bovino in the federal response [6].

Jan 25, 2026 – Hundreds protest in freezing weather across Minneapolis and in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, lighting candles and demanding ICE withdrawal [4, 21].

Jan 25, 2026 – Governor Tim Walz calls the federal operation “despicable” and urges President Trump to pull “thousands of violent, untrained officers” from Minnesota [4, 14, 24].

Jan 25, 2026 – Mayor Jacob Frey labels the ICE presence an “invasion” and demands an immediate end to federal immigration enforcement in the city [4, 14].

Jan 25, 2026 – The National Rifle Association and other gun‑rights groups demand a full Trump‑administration investigation of Pretti’s killing, citing concerns over due process [3, 12].

Jan 25, 2026 – GOP gun‑rights leaders push back on the administration’s narrative; the White House reaffirms President Trump’s “absolute” support for the Second Amendment while noting the risks of armed protest [6].

Jan 25, 2026 – The International Association of Chiefs of Police urges the White House to convene a federal‑state dialogue on the shooting, warning police chiefs nationwide to reassess training after three recent officer‑involved shootings [13, 26].

Jan 25, 2026 – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension sues the federal government to preserve evidence; a hearing is scheduled for the following Monday, and a federal judge bars any alteration of evidence [27].

Jan 25, 2026 – HSI leads a federal probe with FBI assistance; the Justice Department has not yet opened a civil‑rights investigation but says it will if warranted [7].

Jan 25, 2026 – A GoFundMe campaign for Pretti’s family surpasses its $20,000 goal, raising over $160,000, with excess funds earmarked for the Immigrant Defense Project [20].

Jan 26, 2026 – New video and witness statements reveal a federal officer retrieving Pretti’s concealed handgun moments before the first shot, contradicting claims that Pretti was firing [10, 22].

Jan 26, 2026 – President Trump announces the administration is “reviewing everything” about the Pretti shooting and hints that federal agents will eventually be withdrawn from Minnesota [2].

Jan 26, 2026 – Trump officials label Pretti an “armed agitator”; Associated Press‑verified footage shows he holds only a phone, sparking a clash between official statements and video evidence [9].

Jan 26, 2026 – Militia leader Virginia Kekoas warns that the administration’s justification for shooting an open‑carry protester is “tyrannical” and predicts worsening tyranny [8].

Jan 27, 2026 – Pretti’s family publicly identifies him as the victim, describing him as a “kind‑hearted ICU nurse” who cared for veterans and denied any criminal history [1].

Jan 27, 2026 – White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller calls Pretti a “would‑be assassin,” reinforcing the administration’s earlier narrative despite video contradictions [6, 15].

Jan 27, 2026 – The federal investigation expands: HSI heads the probe, the FBI processes the recovered firearm, and a court order prevents the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence [7].

Jan 27, 2026 – GOP gun‑rights leaders criticize the federal narrative, reaffirming support for lawful gun owners and urging the administration to respect Second‑Amendment rights [6].

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