‘They picked the wrong state’: how Minneapolis is fighting back

In Minneapolis, two US federal agents have been placed on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, on January 29, 2026. The shooting occurred during an immigration raid, prompting outrage and a vigil for the victim. The agents' removal from duty is a response to the fallout from the incident. Al Jazeera's Manuel Rapalo is reporting on the ongoing situation. The event is the most recent in a series of killings of US citizens that have sparked public concern.

New videos show Alex Pretti in a scuffle with federal immigration officers in Minneapolis on January 13, 2026, eleven days before his death. The videos, which emerged Wednesday, show Pretti kicking out the tail light of the officers' vehicle during a protest. He is then seen shouting an expletive and struggling with the officers, who forcefully take him to the ground. The videos show Pretti's coat coming off during the altercation. It is unclear whether he broke free or was released by the officers. Pretti was later shot and killed by Border Patrol officers.

In Minneapolis, local rapid response networks and mutual aid groups are mobilizing in response to increased activity by federal immigration agents. Organizations like The TakeMinneapolis are drawing on lessons from movements that emerged after the 2020 killing of George Floyd to build a sustained community defense. These efforts include organizing protests and providing support to those affected by immigration enforcement. The movement also involves observers, such as Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents. The protests and organizing efforts are ongoing as of January 29, 2026, with the goal of community defense against federal immigration actions.

In January 2026, Tom Homan, President Trump's "border czar," announced a shift in immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota following the deaths of two US citizens at the hands of immigration officers. Homan indicated a willingness to cooperate with local officials who have opposed the administration's immigration policies. However, he largely blamed the Biden administration and local policies for the recent escalations, maintaining that the Trump administration would continue to target individuals deemed public safety or national security threats. Despite criticism of increasingly broad enforcement strategies, Homan insisted operations would be targeted. State and local law enforcement officials reported that many of their off-duty officers of color had been randomly stopped and asked for their papers.

On January 28, 2026, President Trump signaled interest in de-escalating tensions in Minneapolis following a second fatal shooting by federal agents. Despite this signal, the situation on the ground in Minneapolis remained largely unchanged. Federal agents were active in Blaine, Minnesota, and a memorial was erected for Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs nurse shot by federal agents. The Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis was also pictured. Federal Bureau of Prisons officers threatened an AP video journalist with arrest, and chemical irritants were used by federal officers, requiring medical attention for at least one person.

President Trump is shifting his focus to the domestic economy after a year that started with international affairs. On Tuesday, he traveled to Iowa to discuss affordability, signaling a renewed emphasis on economic issues. This Iowa trip may be the start of a series of monthly speeches in various US cities and states. The move comes after Trump expressed concern that the positive state of the US economy is not being effectively communicated to the public. White House correspondent Bernd Debusmann explains that the president's attention has pivoted back to the economy.

In a speech delivered in Iowa on January 28, 2026, President Donald Trump promoted the strength of the US economy, calling his first year in office the "greatest" start in US history. Trump highlighted the stock market's performance and a $70 million investment by Deere & Co, attributing economic success to his tax cuts and tariffs. The speech aimed to shift focus from growing outrage over two fatal shootings by US border and immigration agents in Minnesota. Trump warned that a Democratic victory in the upcoming midterm elections would jeopardize economic gains. He accused Democrats of exaggerating cost-of-living concerns for political gain. The speech was part of an effort to rally support in a Republican stronghold ahead of the midterms.

In January 2026, President Trump announced plans to "de-escalate" the crisis in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of two citizens, including ICU nurse Alex Pretti, by Border Patrol agents. The shootings occurred amidst a federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, sparking protests and a standoff between state and federal officials. Pretti was filming officers when he was shot; he was also a licensed gun owner. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who oversees ICE and CBP, is facing criticism and calls for her resignation over her response, including accusing Pretti of "domestic terrorism." Despite the controversy, Trump expressed confidence in Noem. The administration's actions in Minnesota have drawn widespread condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.

President Trump stated he would "de-escalate a little bit" in Minneapolis following outcry over the fatal shootings of two people by federal immigration agents. This decision follows the deployment of border official Tom Homan to the city and the expected removal of Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. Trump described Bovino as "pretty out there" and characterized the changes as a "little bit of a change" rather than a pullback. Homan met with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey amidst the controversy. Trump also addressed the shooting of a protester, rejecting the "assassin" label used by an aide to describe him.

President Trump is scheduled to give a speech in Iowa focusing on "affordability" as a shift in Republican messaging. This comes amid growing protests and outrage following the death of Alex Pretti in Minnesota on Saturday, related to Trump's immigration crackdown. Trump appears to be softening his stance on immigration enforcement in response to the public outcry. As part of this shift, Trump has reassigned the chief of immigration raids. The speech is an attempt to address public concerns and pivot the administration's focus.

President Trump is scheduled to visit Iowa on Tuesday as part of a White House effort to focus on affordability ahead of the midterm elections. While in Iowa, Trump will visit a local business and deliver a speech on affordability at the Horizon Events Center in Clive, a suburb of Des Moines. The trip will also highlight energy policy as part of a broader strategy to have Trump travel weekly to address affordability issues. This visit comes as the Trump administration faces fallout from the fatal shooting of an ICU nurse in Minnesota by federal agents. Republicans hope the Iowa visit will refocus attention on the GOP's tax bill and other key issues as they seek to maintain power in November.

Ahead of a speech in Iowa, US soybean farmers are concerned about potential trade blowback from China due to escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing. Farmers like Randall Shelby fear that President Trump's foreign policy actions, while intended to benefit the US, could provoke retaliatory measures from China, a major soybean importer. This could further erode the US share of the Chinese market, benefiting South American producers. Shelby, a Trump supporter, worries that these geopolitical maneuvers may not yield positive results for farmers and could negatively impact their livelihoods. The concerns arise as Trump aims to reassure farmers in Iowa, a key soybean-producing state, before the upcoming midterm elections.

A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear in court on Friday to explain why he shouldn't be held in contempt. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz issued the order after claiming the Trump administration failed to comply with previous orders to hold hearings for detained immigrants. Schiltz criticized the administration's handling of bond hearings for detained immigrants in Minnesota. He stated the court had been patient despite the administration sending agents to detain immigrants without adequate provisions for the resulting legal challenges. The judge's order follows President Trump's actions regarding immigration enforcement.

The NRA and other gun rights groups are calling for a full investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a border agent in Minneapolis on Saturday. This call comes in response to conflicting accounts from state and federal officials regarding whether Pretti was armed and posed a threat. The NRA specifically criticized comments made by a federal prosecutor who suggested that carrying a gun near law enforcement increases the risk of being shot. Other gun advocacy groups and politicians have also condemned the prosecutor's statement, asserting the right to bear arms, even during protests. The incident has sparked protests and debate over the use of force by federal agents and the Second Amendment.

BBC Verify has analyzed bystander video footage of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old man, by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. The incident occurred less than three weeks after another shooting in the city, where Renee Good was killed by an immigration agent. The analysis pieces together a detailed picture of the events leading up to Pretti's death using footage from multiple angles. The report contains distressing images and credits several individuals for verification, graphics, and video production. The analysis aims to provide a factual account of the shooting based on available video evidence.

Following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration officials in Minneapolis, the NRA and other pro-gun groups are calling for a full investigation. The 37-year-old nurse was reportedly legally permitted to carry a gun and video footage of the incident does not show him holding a weapon. The controversy arose after a former Trump-appointed US attorney, Bill Essayli, suggested law enforcement would likely be justified in shooting someone approaching them with a gun. The NRA and Gun Owners of America criticized Essayli's statement, asserting it demonizes law-abiding citizens and infringes on Second Amendment rights. California Governor Gavin Newsom's office also criticized Essayli, while Essayli defended his statement, clarifying he meant individuals refusing to disarm.

Following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, an online fundraiser was launched to support his family. The GoFundMe campaign, titled "Alex Pretti is an American Hero," quickly surpassed its initial goal of $20,000, raising nearly $400,000 within a day. Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse and US citizen, was killed during a federal operation in the city, sparking protests. Videos circulating online show Pretti filming agents and intervening when a legal observer was shoved; he was then tackled, and shot after agents claimed he had a gun. His parents have expressed anger and refuted claims made by the Trump administration. The fundraiser organizer is working with GoFundMe to ensure the funds reach Pretti's family.

In Minneapolis, crowds gathered near the site where Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was fatally shot during an altercation with federal agents on Saturday. The BBC reported on the protests, which included laying flowers, lighting candles, and chanting Pretti's name. Protesters voiced anger over the incident, which occurred less than three weeks after Renee Good was shot and killed by an immigration agent in the same city. The gatherings took place in freezing temperatures. The BBC's Tom Bateman is reporting from Minneapolis on the situation.

On January 25, 2026, a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse and US citizen. Pretti was participating in protests against President Trump's immigration policies in the city. This marks the second such killing by federal agents in Minneapolis this month. The incident has sparked renewed protests and demands from local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operations in Minneapolis. The killing of Pretti has raised concerns and further fueled the ongoing debate surrounding federal immigration enforcement actions.

A 37-year-old Minneapolis man, believed to be a U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis. According to Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, the incident occurred when officers attempted to disarm the man, who reportedly "violently resisted." The shooting prompted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to contact the White House. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the identity of the federal agent involved have not been released. Further details regarding the incident are expected to be released as the investigation unfolds.

Federal officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 24, 2026, during an immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. The Associated Press obtained a hospital record confirming the death. Following the shooting, federal immigration officers deployed tear gas, including towards observers at the scene. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated he contacted the White House regarding the incident. The shooting occurred amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts.

On January 24, 2026, US federal agents shot and killed a 37-year-old US citizen in Minneapolis during an immigration crackdown. According to authorities, the incident occurred when the man, who was armed with a handgun, "resisted attempts to be disarmed." The man sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the encounter. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died. The specific reasons for the federal agents' actions and the man's involvement in the immigration crackdown remain unclear based on available information.

In Minneapolis, January 2026, residents are providing safe houses for immigrant children who have been separated from their parents or are being sought by federal immigration agents. This action comes amidst a surge of over 2,000 federal agents in the city conducting an immigration crackdown, which has led to clashes with protesters. Volunteers, including some who previously voted for Trump, are working to covertly disrupt the operation by relocating children to protect them from potential detention. One instance involves children fleeing their home to avoid immigration enforcement, while another involves a 5-month-old baby whose mother was detained. The organization "Source MN" is also involved in hiding children whose parents have been detained.