The Trump administration is facing mounting backlash over the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis nurse, by federal immigration agents. The incident has sparked widespread protests and legal challenges, prompting a partial withdrawal of federal forces from the city.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced that federal agents would begin scaling back their presence from Tuesday, following a phone call with President Donald Trump. Frey stated that Trump agreed the current situation 'cannot continue,' and that some agents would leave the area immediately.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described Pretti's death as a 'tragedy,' softening earlier remarks from adviser Stephen Miller, who had called the nurse a 'would-be assassin.' Trump also said he would send border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to review the shooting.
A federal judge heard arguments on Monday regarding a request to end the federal surge in Minneapolis, but no immediate ruling was expected. Meanwhile, the community has held vigils and protests, with hundreds gathering at a memorial for Pretti.
City council member Aisha Chughtai said the city has a 'long history of resistance' and would weather the crisis. Brass Solidarity, a band formed after George Floyd's murder, played at the memorial, reflecting ongoing tensions over federal immigration enforcement.
