Trump Sends Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota After Fatal ICE Shooting of Nurse Alex Pretti/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is dispatching Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota following the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen this month by federal immigration officers, amid a rapidly escalating crisis surrounding “Operation Metro Surge.” The move comes as federal courts, state officials, and civil rights groups clash with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over its aggressive immigration enforcement in Minneapolis — enforcement that has already resulted in the deaths of ICU nurse Alex Pretti and mother-of-three Renee Good.
Quick Look:
- Tom Homan will arrive in Minnesota Monday night to oversee ICE and DHS operations.
- Federal court hearings are underway to determine whether immigration raids can continue and to preserve evidence related to Pretti’s death.
- Officials have failed to provide clear evidence that Pretti posed an immediate threat before he was fatally shot.
- President Trump and DHS stand by their narrative, while state leaders and analysts call it unsubstantiated and politically motivated.
Trump Deploys Tom Homan to Minnesota: Deep Look
In a Monday morning Truth Social post, President Trump announced he is sending former acting ICE Director and current Border Czar Tom Homan to oversee the situation on the ground.
“Tom is tough but fair,” Trump wrote. “He will report directly to me.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Homan’s expanded mission includes managing ICE operations and assisting in ongoing fraud investigations tied to Minnesota’s social services system.
Trump also linked the unrest to Democratic leadership in the state, claiming that “fraud is at least partially responsible for the violent organized protests.” He also implied investigations into Rep. Ilhan Omar are underway.
Court Hearings Underway in Wake of Pretti’s Death
Two key hearings are taking place Monday in Minnesota:
- Federal Hearing in St. Paul — Arguments over whether to temporarily suspend Operation Metro Surge across the state are being heard by U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez.
- Evidence Preservation Hearing — A separate emergency order blocked DHS and Border Patrol agents from destroying or altering any evidence from the Pretti shooting. That case will be heard by Judge Eric Tostrud later Monday.
Who Was Alex Pretti?
Alex Pretti, 37, was an intensive care unit nurse who legally owned a firearm and had no serious criminal history. His family says he was on his way to meet friends when he was confronted by Border Patrol agents and fatally shot. Video footage shows a chaotic scene, with at least six federal agents swarming Pretti.
Notably, he is not seen brandishing a weapon in any of the known video recordings.
Federal Claims Under Scrutiny
The Department of Homeland Security and key officials, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, have maintained that Pretti approached agents with a 9mm handgun and resisted arrest violently.
“The suspect attempted to cause maximum damage and kill law enforcement,” Noem said Saturday.
“This was a defensive shooting.”
But that narrative is being challenged from multiple sides.
Fact-Check & Video Analysis:
- No evidence has been publicly released to show that Pretti pointed a gun.
- In bystander videos, Pretti is seen holding a phone, not a firearm.
- Officers are heard yelling “gun” before one agent appears to remove a weapon from Pretti’s waistband — after shots had already been fired.
When pressed by CNN’s Dana Bash, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino deflected questions and declined to confirm whether the weapon was fired or how many agents discharged their weapons.
State Leaders Slam Federal Narrative
Minnesota leaders have forcefully rejected DHS accounts of the incident:
- Gov. Tim Walz (D) called the DHS claims “nonsense” and said the federal government is “slandering” Pretti to justify excessive force.
- Mayor Jacob Frey said he watched footage that shows masked agents “pummeling a constituent and shooting him to death.”
- Attorney General Keith Ellison joined legal efforts to preserve all evidence and condemned the raid as a violation of state sovereignty.
“Federal agents cannot be allowed to act as judge, jury, and executioner,” Ellison said Sunday.
Bipartisan Concerns Over Use of Force
The second fatal shooting in three weeks has rattled both parties:
“This administration is allowing the deaths of American citizens to achieve deportation quotas. That is not America First.”
- Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said the incident is “incredibly disturbing” and demanded a full joint investigation.
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have echoed calls for oversight, suggesting ICE “does not have carte blanche” in enforcement.
What’s Next?
The situation in Minnesota is shaping into a full-blown constitutional crisis. On one side is the Trump administration, pressing ahead with aggressive immigration raids under the banner of national security. On the other side are state governments, legal watchdogs, and civil rights groups, demanding transparency, accountability, and the rollback of what they see as unconstitutional federal overreach.
Legal experts warn that Monday’s court rulings — especially from Judge Menendez — could have nationwide ramifications for immigration enforcement.
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