Republican Rift Over Trump Immigration Tactics Grows After Fatal Pretti Operation

The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, led publicly by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has come under rare and growing criticism from Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota.

GOP Dissent Mounts

Several Republican senators have publicly questioned the administration’s handling of the operation and its aftermath. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) have urged accountability—Tillis called Noem "out of her depth," saying her "failure of leadership is casting a pall over" enforcement efforts. Murkowski said accountability is required even if staffing is ultimately the president’s call.

“It’s the president’s decision, but I think there’s got to be a level of accountability,” — Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)

Policy And Political Fault Lines

Division among Republicans extends beyond personnel questions. Several GOP senators disagreed with President Donald Trump and administration officials who suggested that Pretti should not have been armed or labeled him a domestic terrorist. Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) rejected the terrorist label, and Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) emphasized Second Amendment protections, saying mere firearm possession does not automatically justify lethal force.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed the president’s support for gun rights while arguing that carrying a weapon during a confrontation with law enforcement "raises the assumption of risk." That stance drew pushback from other Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who said Pretti appeared to be in compliance with Minnesota law and retained constitutional rights.

Administration Moves And Damage Control

Trump has publicly reaffirmed his support for Noem, following a two-hour White House meeting, but has also taken steps to defuse tensions in Minneapolis. He reassigned Border Patrol commander-at-large Greg Bovino out of Minnesota and tapped former border official Tom Homan to mediate with local officials and oversee ICE and CBP operations in the state.

One senior White House official said feedback from Hill Republicans on the administration’s more cautious tone in Minnesota has been "very positive." Still, the president has said he is waiting for the investigation into the shooting to play out.

Congressional Scrutiny And Next Steps

Top immigration officials are scheduled to testify before House and Senate panels in February, and lawmakers signaled tough questioning ahead. Senate Homeland Security Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said investigators will "find out" whether leadership decisions were appropriate. Many Republicans are also calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death before passing final judgment.

Meanwhile, some senators—including Susan Collins (R-Maine)—urged an immediate pause to operations in Maine and Minnesota to allow time for review. Others emphasized the need for better coordination between federal agents, state and local officials to avoid similar confrontations.

Context And Contention

The intra-party dispute is politically notable because Republicans had largely supported Trump’s immigration agenda through 2025. The backlash reflects both policy concerns and political calculations ahead of the midterm elections, though it may not lead to immediate personnel changes. A looming partial government shutdown adds additional pressure on Capitol Hill.

Media reports, including CNN and Axios, indicate internal disagreements within the administration over how Pretti was initially characterized and whether earlier descriptions were accurate. Authorities say Pretti was involved in another confrontation with police prior to the fatal encounter, but details remain incomplete as investigations continue.

What To Watch

• February congressional hearings with top immigration officials.
• Any formal independent investigation into the Pretti shooting.
• Further personnel changes or new operational guidance for federal enforcement in Minnesota and Maine.

Note: This article summarizes public statements and actions by members of Congress and the administration as reported. Investigations are ongoing and additional facts may emerge.