Minnesota CEOs Call for Immediate De-escalation Amidst Rising Social Unrest
Saint Paul, Monday, 26 January 2026.
Breaking their silence on January 25, over 60 Minnesota business leaders—including CEOs of Target and UnitedHealth—united to demand government cooperation, citing the urgent need to address social instability and economic disruption.
A Unified Corporate Response to Violence
On Sunday, January 25, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce released an open letter signed by executives from more than 60 major companies, marking a significant intervention by the business community into the state’s escalating social crisis [1][2]. The letter, which calls for immediate de-escalation and cooperation among state, local, and federal officials, was prompted by a weekend of violence that included two fatal shootings by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations [1]. One of the incidents involved the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti on January 24, an event that has catalyzed further protests in Minneapolis [3].
Economic Fallout and Operational Disruptions
Beyond the immediate safety concerns, the coalition is responding to severe economic headwinds caused by the instability. A lawsuit filed earlier this month by the state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities against the federal operations highlighted that some local businesses have reported sales declines of up to 80 percent [1]. The operational impact has been tangible; Minneapolis-based Target has been the focus of protests regarding its stance on law enforcement activity, while a local hotel faced significant backlash and apologized after refusing accommodation to federal agents, citing a violation of its own policies [1].