Walz to Trump: Pull Federal Agents From Minnesota After Fatal Shooting of ICU Nurse

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Sunday demanded that former President Donald Trump withdraw federal immigration agents from the state after Border Patrol officers fatally shot 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti while he was observing an immigration enforcement action.

Governor's Plea

At a news conference, Walz directly challenged Trump: 'What’s the plan, Donald Trump? What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state?' He added, 'President Trump, you can end this today. Pull these folks back; do humane, focused, effective immigration control — you’ve got the support of all of us to do that. Please show some decency. Pull these folks out.'

Conflicting Accounts and Video Evidence

Multi-angle video released after the shooting appeared to contradict initial federal claims that Pretti posed an immediate threat. Footage suggests Pretti did not brandish a weapon and may have been disarmed moments before agents fired at close range. Walz accused federal agents of 'sweeping away the evidence' and criticized officials who rapidly labeled Pretti a domestic terrorist.

'You know what you saw, and then you heard the most powerful people in the world ... narrate to you what you were looking at, that this was a domestic terrorist … sullying his name within minutes of this event happening,' Walz said.

Federal and State Responses

Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino defended agents' actions and said he would await the results of a federal investigation. Previously, Bovino asserted — without presenting public evidence — that Pretti had threatened a 'massacre' before being disarmed.

Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported state investigators were denied full access to the scene, prompting state officials to express frustration and concern about evidence preservation.

Political Fallout

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi — who wrote to Governor Walz — urged state officials to 'restore the rule of law' and provide data on welfare programs and voter rolls, saying those records could help address alleged abuses. Walz and other Minnesota Democrats have disputed federal claims that the state’s systems were widely manipulated.

Broader Tensions

The incident in Minnesota has intensified debate over Interior immigration enforcement and interactions between federal and local authorities. Similar tensions surfaced in Maine after Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce criticized ICE for detaining a lawfully authorized corrections officer during a traffic stop and described the agency’s tactics as a 'show of force.'

Local Law Enforcement Reaction

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said video suggested Pretti was exercising his First and Second Amendment rights when he was shot, telling the Washington Post that the footage 'does not look like professional policing.' The deaths of Pretti and, 17 days earlier, Renee Good have sharpened scrutiny of enforcement tactics.

The investigation is ongoing. Federal and state authorities have announced separate inquiries, and the contested accounts and video evidence mean the case is likely to remain the focus of national attention as officials and the public await further findings.