Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has announced that some federal immigration agents will begin leaving the city on Tuesday, marking a significant development in the ongoing crisis sparked by the killings of two American citizens. This decision comes as President Donald Trump strikes a more conciliatory note in response to nationwide outrage.
Mayor Frey Confirms Partial Withdrawal
In a post on social media platform X, Mayor Frey stated that "some federal agents" will start departing Minneapolis, though he did not specify the exact number involved. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring the complete removal of all agents tied to the operation, adding, "I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go." Frey revealed that he spoke with President Trump on Monday, noting, "The president agreed the present situation can’t continue."
White House Scrambles Amid Viral Video Fallout
The White House has been under intense pressure as video of the latest shooting circulated widely, igniting street protests and drawing criticism from former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Increasingly, voices within Trump's own Republican Party have also expressed disapproval. In a notable shift in tone, President Trump announced he had dispatched Tom Homan, his top border enforcer, to Minneapolis on Monday. Describing Homan as "tough but fair," Trump wrote on his TruthSocial platform that Homan "will report directly to me."
Controversy Over Border Patrol Commander
This appointment coincides with reports from US media that controversial Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino will be leaving Minneapolis. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has strongly denied these claims. DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin posted on X, vehemently stating that Bovino has not been "relieved of his duties" and praised him as "a key part of the President’s team and a great American."
White House Expresses Sorrow and Defends Actions
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the situation, asserting, "nobody in the White House, including President Trump, wants to see people getting hurt or killed." She also expressed sorrow over the death of Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse who was fatally shot at point-blank range by immigration officers while protesting in Minneapolis on Saturday. Initially, the White House and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem portrayed Pretti's killing as an act of self-defense, claiming—against evidence—that he approached agents with a handgun, intent on a "massacre."
Behind-the-Scenes Meetings and Political Implications
According to The New York Times, President Trump held an almost two-hour meeting on Monday evening with Secretary Noem, who has been a proponent of aggressive immigration raids. This development underscores the complex political dynamics at play as the administration navigates the fallout from the Minneapolis incidents.
