In a sharp reversal, President Donald Trump said on Monday he was “on a similar wavelength” with the Democratic governor of Minnesota, following the fatal shooting of a second U.S. citizen in the state by immigration agents that has sparked a fierce backlash.
The surprise comments on social media by Trump after what he described as a “very good call” with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz could indicate a de-escalation of his immigration crackdown in the state, as public polls show waning support for his approach to immigration.
Walz and other Democratic leaders have fiercely opposed the immigration surge, which they characterise as a lawless invasion that puts public safety at risk. Trump, for his part, has spent the past month accusing Walz of incompetence for failing to stop a welfare-fraud scandal in the state.
Walz did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump earlier said he would dispatch the White House border czar, Tom Homan, to work with local officials following Saturday’s shooting of a 37-year-old nurse, Alex Pretti, by immigration agents during a confrontation with protesters in Minneapolis. While other top Trump officials have characterised Pretti as a “domestic terrorist,” Homan has not publicly spoken about the incident.
A person briefed on the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump is unhappy with the images coming out of Minnesota, including Pretti’s death.
In a statement, Trump said Homan “has not been involved” in the Minnesota crackdown, but knows and likes many of the people there.“
Trump’s statements came as state officials pressed a U.S. judge to temporarily stop the surge of 3,000 immigration agents, which they characterised as a tactic to pressure the state to change its immigration policies.
“They put violence into the streets of Minnesota to get what they want,” Brian Carter, a lawyer with the state attorney general’s office, told U.S. Judge Katherine Menendez.
Trump administration lawyers argued they were simply enforcing immigration laws.
Menendez, an appointee of Democratic President Joe Biden, appeared sceptical of the state’s argument that she had the power to shut down the operation.
“One of the things I’m struggling with is that not all crises have a fix from a district court injunction,” she said toward the end of the three-hour hearing. She did not say when she would issue a ruling.
Another federal judge is due later in the day to consider a separate request by the state to force the administration to preserve evidence from Pretti’s killing. That includes footage from body-worn cameras at the scene, according to a government court filing.
The surge of agents has spurred massive street protests in below-freezing temperatures, and fierce condemnations by the state’s Democratic leaders. Sixty of the state’s largest businesses, including Target, 3M, UnitedHealth and U.S. Bancorp, called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions between the state and the Trump administration on Sunday.
A leading Republican candidate for governor, Chris Madel, dropped his bid on Monday, saying the crackdown had gone too far and had made the race unwinnable for a Republican.
“I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so,” he said in a video statement.
Homeland Security Department officials have described the incident as an attack by Pretti, saying agents fired in self-defence after he approached them with a handgun.
But video from the scene, verified by Reuters, contradicts that account. The footage shows Pretti holding a phone – not a gun – as agents wrestle him to the ground. It also shows officers removing a firearm stored near his waistband after he was subdued, moments before they fatally shot him. Pretti was a licensed gun owner.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will remain in her job “with the full trust and confidence of the President,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday that his administration is “reviewing everything” about the incident and said immigration officials would eventually withdraw.
Recent Reuters polling indicates that a significant slice of Trump’s Republican backers - 39% - , saying harm should be minimized even if this means fewer immigration-related arrests.
In Washington, Democrats in the Senate have said they will oppose a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, raising the likelihood of a partial government shutdown starting on Sunday.
Republicans approved a massive budget increase for immigration enforcement last year, but some of them also have criticised the administration.
“I would encourage the administration to be more measured, to recognise the tragedy, and to say we don’t want anyone’s lives to be lost,” Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said on his podcast.
