Trump Dispatches Homan to Minnesota Following Fatal ICE Shootings and Legal Pushback

2026-01-26 politics

Minneapolis, Monday, 26 January 2026.
Following the fatal shooting of a second U.S. citizen by federal agents, President Trump deployed Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to assume direct command of contested ICE operations.

Federal Response Intensifies

This deployment marks a significant escalation in the federal government’s approach to the ongoing crisis in the Twin Cities. Building on the unrest detailed in our previous report, “Minneapolis Braces for Unrest Following Third Fatal Shooting by Federal Agents” (https://wsnext.com/59f882a-Immigration-enforcement-Civil-unrest/), the administration has moved from remote management to direct intervention. On Monday, January 26, President Trump confirmed via social media that he is sending Tom Homan to Minnesota to personally manage Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations on the ground [1][8]. Homan, who served as acting ICE director during Trump’s first term, has been instructed to report directly to the President, bypassing the standard chain of command currently overseen by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem [1][5].

Conflicting Narratives on Lethal Force

The urgency of Homan’s deployment is driven by the volatile aftermath of the January 24 shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse and licensed gun owner, by federal agents in South Minneapolis [3][7]. The incident, which occurred less than 3.2 kilometers from where protester Renee Nicole Good was killed earlier this month, has generated sharply conflicting accounts [7]. The Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Noem initially characterized Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” who “brandished” a 9mm semiautomatic handgun at officers [5][7]. However, video footage verified by news agencies appears to contradict this official narrative, showing Pretti holding a smartphone rather than a weapon at the time he was shot [4][5].

Legal and Economic Fallout

As Homan arrives in Minnesota, the legal battle over federal operations has reached a critical juncture. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez began hearing arguments on whether to issue a temporary halt to the immigration crackdown [2][6]. Attorneys for the state of Minnesota argued that the administration is “not content with the rule of law” and has introduced violence into the streets [4]. Conversely, the Justice Department maintained that a state-imposed restriction would amount to a “veto over federal law enforcement” [7]. Amidst these courtroom arguments, the economic toll is becoming apparent; 60 of Minnesota’s largest corporations, including Target and 3M, issued a joint call for de-escalation on January 25 [4].

Sources

Immigration enforcement Federal state conflict