Trump and Walz Talk as Minnesota Tensions Rise Over ICE Shooting

Minnesota Governor and President Trump Hold Critical Phone Call

In a significant development amid escalating tensions in Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz and President Donald Trump held a productive phone conversation on Monday, January 26, 2026. The call came after days of violent protests and growing public outrage following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis.

According to both officials' social media statements, Trump agreed to consider reducing the number of federal immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota. 'We had a very good conversation. We seemed to be on about the same wavelength,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Governor Walz, a Democrat who had previously demanded the immediate withdrawal of 'thousands of violent untrained agents' from his state, described the conversation as productive.

Shooting Incident Sparks Widespread Protests

The controversy centers on the January 24 shooting of Alex Pretti, a licensed concealed firearm carrier with no criminal history beyond parking tickets. Federal officials initially claimed Pretti intended to 'kill law enforcement' with a gun, but bystander videos and witness accounts show him filming officers with his phone when agents tackled him, with at least 10 shots fired within five seconds.

This marks the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks, following the death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer earlier in January. The incidents have intensified tensions over what city officials call a federal 'occupation' by Homeland Security agents.

Leadership Shakeup at Federal Level

In a related development, President Trump announced he's sending 'border czar' Tom Homan to Minnesota to manage ICE operations, replacing Greg Bovino who had become the public face of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Democratic-led cities. Bovino has been demoted and will return to his former job in El Centro, California, where he is expected to retire soon.

The leadership change follows controversy over Bovino's unsubstantiated claims about the Pretti shooting. After the incident, Bovino claimed the nurse sought to 'massacre' federal agents, but video evidence contradicted these claims, showing Pretti was disarmed before being shot in the back.

Legal Battles and Investigations

Multiple investigations are now underway into the shooting. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are conducting federal probes, while local authorities in Minnesota are pursuing their own independent investigation, citing distrust of federal processes. A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking federal agencies from destroying evidence after Minnesota authorities sued the Trump administration, alleging officials removed evidence from the scene.

'I think it goes without saying that we are in shockingly exceptional times,' said Judge Katherine Menendez during a hearing about the case. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are seeking to force the federal government through district court to reduce the number of federal agents to pre-ICE operation levels.

Political Implications and Public Response

The situation has created unusual political dynamics, with Republican support for Trump's immigration policies facing growing criticism even within his own party. While Trump's strict immigration approach remains popular with his core supporters, public anger over border agents' actions has surged following multiple shootings.

As Governor Walz emphasized during his call with Trump, the need for impartial investigations and reduced federal presence remains paramount. Whether this leadership change and diplomatic outreach will lead to meaningful policy shifts or simply represent tactical adjustments remains to be seen.