WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump has directed White House border czar Tom Homan to travel to Minnesota to take control of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the state following two fatal encounters between federal agents and civilians in Minneapolis.
The decision was announced Monday by the White House, which confirmed that Homan will oversee on-the-ground enforcement efforts and report directly to the president.
Federal Oversight Expanded After Minneapolis Incidents
The move comes after the recent killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, who was shot by federal officers during a confrontation in Minneapolis. The incident occurred in daylight and was captured on multiple videos that have circulated widely online.
Earlier this month, another Minneapolis resident, Renee Nicole Good, was fatally shot by an ICE agent during a separate enforcement action. Both incidents have drawn national attention and intensified scrutiny of federal immigration operations in the state.
Homan Given Direct Authority in Minnesota
In a public statement, President Trump said Homan is being sent to Minnesota to ensure accountability, consistency, and operational discipline within federal enforcement activities.
The White House also said Homan will work alongside officials conducting ongoing investigations into large-scale fraud operations in the region, which federal authorities say have involved significant financial losses and public safety concerns.
Tensions Rise as Federal Presence Increases
Thousands of federal agents have been deployed to Minnesota in recent weeks as part of the administration’s broader immigration enforcement strategy. The expanded presence has led to large public demonstrations, heightened political tensions, and calls for stronger coordination between federal, state, and local officials.
Administration leaders have emphasized that enforcement efforts are focused on removing individuals considered threats to public safety and addressing organized fraud networks.
Conflicting Accounts of Pretti Shooting
On the day Pretti was killed, federal officials initially stated that he approached officers while armed and resisted efforts to disarm him. Subsequent video footage, however, shows Pretti holding a phone at the start of the encounter, with an officer removing a firearm from his person before shots were fired.
Local authorities later confirmed that Pretti was believed to be a lawful gun owner with a valid permit to carry.
President Trump has said the incident remains under review and that a determination will be made following a full examination of the facts.
Administration Signals Law-and-Order Focus
Homeland Security leadership welcomed the decision to send Homan, describing it as a step toward restoring stability, improving coordination, and reinforcing lawful enforcement operations.
Officials have also renewed calls for cooperation from state and local leadership to support federal public safety missions in the region.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
- National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
- Global News – https://idahonews.co/global-news/
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