A second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis has pushed President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown deeper into the national political spotlight, intensifying partisan divisions and turning the issue into a flashpoint ahead of the elections.
Federal officers have now killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis this month during confrontations linked to protests against the administration’s sweeping immigration enforcement operation. The latest victim, ICU nurse Alex Pretti, was shot on Saturday. Another resident, Renee Good, was killed on January 7.
The incidents have sparked outrage among residents and renewed demonstrations against the operation, which has involved weeks of protests and violent clashes between federal agents and demonstrators.
The political fallout has been swift. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party would oppose any government funding legislation that includes money for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Congress faces a January 30 deadline to fund the government or risk a partial shutdown.
In a statement on Sunday, Schumer urged Republicans to “join Democrats in overhauling ICE and CBP to protect the public,” referring to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Moderate Democrats, who had previously been cautious about appearing anti-law enforcement, have joined the call following the shootings.
“This is clearly not about keeping Americans safe, it’s brutalizing U.S. citizens and law-abiding immigrants,” said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada.
The Trump administration has defended the operation, describing it as its most ambitious immigration enforcement effort to date. The president has shown no sign of backing down.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said the Minneapolis operation was central to his 2024 election victory and Republicans’ control of Congress. He blamed Democrats for the unrest, writing that “two American Citizens have lost their lives as a result of this Democrat ensued chaos.”
While most Republicans have continued to support the crackdown, the shooting of a legally armed U.S. citizen has created particular political risks for a party closely aligned with gun rights advocates.
Gun rights groups have expressed concern over attempts by administration officials to blame Pretti for carrying a firearm to the protest, despite his legal right to do so.
“Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms, including while attending protests,” the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus said in a statement.
Public opinion appears deeply divided. Recent Reuters polling shows that Democratic voters overwhelmingly oppose Trump’s enforcement tactics. Among Republicans, 39 per cent said harm should be minimised even if it leads to fewer immigration-related arrests.
Among independent voters, 73 per cent said authorities should prioritise reducing harm, while 19 per cent said they should be willing to risk serious injury or death in pursuit of arrests.
For many Minneapolis residents, the concern extends beyond the city.
“The rest of the country needs to know that what’s happening here could happen everywhere,” said Eric Gray, a 50-year-old protester. “I think that Minnesota is turning out to be the starting point, or the litmus test.”
