Trump admin to withdraw 700 immigration agents from Minnesota after Minneapolis shootings, Homan says
The immigration crackdown sparked national outrage after federal authorities shot and killed two U.S. citizens – Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37 years old.
Trump administration officials have given mixed signals about whether they intend to raise or lower the temperature in the Twin Cities.
Immediately after Pretti’s killing — before significant evidence from an investigation into the incident was produced — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and top adviser Stephen Miller called the intensive care unit nurse a “domestic terrorist” and accused him of brandishing a gun.
Days later, the administration removed Border Patrol Commander General Gregory Bovino, who was often present during violent clashes with protesters and during immigrant arrests. Bovino returned to his post in El Centro, California.
Meanwhile, Homan arrived in Minneapolis the same week, where he quickly declared that the situation could be improved and that the administration would “wind down” the operation in the state.
At Wednesday’s press conference, he said there would now be one line of command in Minneapolis, instead of two.
After Homan’s initial comments on the withdrawal, President Donald Trump appeared to contradict the de-escalation plans. This came after the president distanced himself from labels placed on Pretti by others in his administration, saying he wanted to “de-escalate” the situation in the city and calling Pretti’s killing a “very unfortunate” incident.
On Friday, Trump called Pretti an “agitator and, perhaps, an insurrectionist” in an article on Truth Social.
The change in tone came after the release of a video showing Pretti kicking a vehicle driven by immigration authorities and calls from some of the president’s far-right supporters for him to continue. Stephen Bannon said on his “War Room” podcast that “there can be no de-escalation at all.”
Federal authorities also arrested Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor, on Friday after he covered a protest at a church service last month led by a pastor who is also believed to be an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Lemon’s attorney said his client would plead not guilty to the charges against him.
Videos of clashes between immigration authorities and Twin Cities residents have continued to go viral almost daily since talk of a withdrawal began last week.
Noem announced Monday that federal immigration authorities in Minnesota would be equipped with body cameras. Homan reiterated that funds were coming into the region for equipment.
He also condemned the animosity directed at federal immigration authorities, warning that the withdrawal will not include “personnel ensuring the safety of our agents.”
“It is shameful and incomprehensible to me that this illegal and threatening behavior is tolerated by anyone,” he said.
Homan did not reference the killing of Pretti or Good in his comments and cautioned those who oppose the massive federal presence in the city.
“You won’t stop ICE. You won’t stop the Border Patrol,” he said. “The only thing you’re doing is irritating your community who wants to go get groceries or pick up your kids or whatever.”
