Minneapolis remains in shock following the killing of a demonstrator by a federal migration officer. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sees the United States at a turning point and has expressed outrage over the conduct of former President Donald Trump and his administration.
Throughout the weekend, residents of Minneapolis gathered at memorials, laid flowers, and posted signs in remembrance of Alex Pretti, who was killed by a federal officer. Governor Walz once again addressed the media, asking:
“Donald Trump—what is the plan? What are we supposed to do to get these federal agents out of our state?”
Walz appeared visibly angered by the Trump administration’s justification of the federal officers’ actions as self-defense.
“This is a turning point, America. If we cannot all agree that smearing an American citizen and tarnishing everything he stood for is wrong—and that we should not be told to disbelieve what we saw—then I don’t know what else to say,” he stated.
Video Footage Contradicts Official Claims
By “what we saw,” Walz was referring to video footage of the incident. The videos show Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, apparently trying to assist another protester. Officers from U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are seen forcing him to the ground, after which several shots are fired.
Pretti was reportedly armed. According to the Minneapolis Police Department, the 37-year-old was a lawful gun owner with a permit. However, no video shows Pretti drawing his weapon, a fact that contradicts statements made by federal officials.
Shortly after the incident, Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol official, claimed the situation appeared to involve an attempt to cause maximum harm and carry out a massacre against law enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem went further, describing the incident as domestic terrorism.
On Sunday, Bovino adopted a more cautious tone, citing the ongoing investigation. Noem, however, reiterated on Fox News that federal officers had feared for their lives.
Legal Action and Political Escalation
Governor Walz urged citizens to remain calm during protests. The state of Minnesota has filed a lawsuit challenging the actions of Border Patrol and ICE. A court hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warned:
“If we do not stop this, it will continue—and it will not be good for anyone in this country.”
Donald Trump, meanwhile, has shown no sign of withdrawing federal forces from Minnesota. In a post on Truth Social, he accused Walz and other Democratic governors and mayors of fueling “division, chaos, and violence” instead of cooperating with his administration.
Democratic members of Congress are now threatening to block the federal budget bill to prevent additional funding for ICE.
Broader Context
The deployment of Border Patrol and ICE forces in predominantly Democratic-led cities is part of Trump’s plan to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
In Minnesota, Alex Pretti was the second person killed by ICE officers in less than three weeks. On January 7, federal immigration officers also shot and killed Renee Good, aged 37.
Source: DW
