MN GOP candidate quits, 60 MN CEOs demand de-escalation, and Senator calls for Noem’s impeachment after federal killing of Alex Pretti
Jan 26, 2026 10:56AM ● By Content Editor
Image: A collection of logos representing over 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies and sports teams calling for de-escalation amid ICE's presence in the state. MN Chamber of Commerce
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - January 26, 2026
Over the weekend, a 37-year old man, identified as Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Hospital, was shot and killed by a border patrol officer in Minneapolis on Saturday. The incident took place less than a mile from where a federal officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good weeks prior. In response to the shooting, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard, where troops were sent to the site of the shooting and to the federal Whipplestop building, which has been a location of consistent protester/federal agent clashes.
Recounts of the incident vary. Videos of the shooting widely circulated on social media and show Pretti holding a phone in his hand. The Department of Homeland Security claims that federal officers were approached by a man holding a gun in his hand, who then "violently" resisted when officers tried to disarm him. Federal officers said they recovered a handgun at the scene of the shooting, with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem saying he "attacked law enforcement officers," and questioned why Pretti had one during a press conference. In a press conference on Monday morning, Noem stated that Pretti's actions were an "act of domestic terrorism." Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said in a separate news conference that Pretti wanted to "massacre law enforcement.”
Minneapolis Police Chief responded by saying that police believe Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. None of the bystander videos of the incident show Pretti with a visible gun, while it appears that a federal agent removed a weapon found on him after he was tackled to the ground.
Governor Walz said in a statement, "As I told the White House in no uncertain terms this morning, the federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation. The state will handle it. Period." During a news conference on Saturday, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Superintendent Drew Evans said that, despite a judge-issued search warrant, BCA officials were blocked by federal agents from accessing the scene.
On Sunday, Minnesota Attorney General, on behalf of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and alongside the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office against the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies, was granted a temporary restraining order by Judge Eric Tostrud after filing a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), the U.S. Border Control, their respective leadership, as well as United States Attorney General Pam Bondi as defendants. The order prevents the above-listed entities from "altering or destroying evidence related to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by DHS agents." (Judge Tostrud will hold a follow-up hearing on Monday to decide if the evidence preservation order should be extended or if federal agents have valid objections.)
The Associated Press reported that the Department of Homeland Security had posted photos of the gun recovered at the scene on X before Pretti's family had been notified of his death. "Minnesota state officials said that, by removing the weapon from the scene, Border Patrol officers likely mishandled key evidence," they said.
In a statement from the Pretti family, which widely circulated on social media the day of the shooting, his parents said, "Alex is clearly not holding a gun...He has his phone in his right hand, and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down, all while being pepper-sprayed. Please get the truth out about our son.”
Additionally, several politicians, including Republicans, called for more information and an investigation into DHS's federal immigration tactics. Many Minnesota-based politicians, including Governor Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar, have called for ICE to leave Minnesota.
Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada has called for Noem's impeachment, while several other Democrats have vowed to cut off funding for DHS. This comes during the week when a spending bill must pass to avoid a partial government shutdown by January 30.
On social media on Sunday, President Donald Trump said, "Tragically, two American Citizens have lost their lives as a result of this Democrat-led chaos."
On Monday morning, Republican Chris Madel announced on Facebook that he was ending his run for Minnesota Governor. In the statement, he said, "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.”
On Monday, January 26, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez will begin to hear arguments. Menendez is the same judge who ruled that "federal officers in Minnesota can’t detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who aren’t obstructing authorities, including people who follow and observe agents," according to the Associated Press.
That court ruling was temporarily halted, and after Pretti's killing on Saturday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota requested an emergency lift of that suspension. The Justice Department is fighting this request, maintaining that the original protections are impractical and should remain suspended.
It is unknown when the Judge will make her decision on ending "Operation Metro Surge."
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - January 26, 2026
Over the weekend, a 37-year old man, identified as Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Hospital, was shot and killed by a border patrol officer in Minneapolis on Saturday. The incident took place less than a mile from where a federal officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good weeks prior. In response to the shooting, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard, where troops were sent to the site of the shooting and to the federal Whipplestop building, which has been a location of consistent protester/federal agent clashes.
Recounts of the incident vary. Videos of the shooting widely circulated on social media and show Pretti holding a phone in his hand. The Department of Homeland Security claims that federal officers were approached by a man holding a gun in his hand, who then "violently" resisted when officers tried to disarm him. Federal officers said they recovered a handgun at the scene of the shooting, with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem saying he "attacked law enforcement officers," and questioned why Pretti had one during a press conference. In a press conference on Monday morning, Noem stated that Pretti's actions were an "act of domestic terrorism." Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said in a separate news conference that Pretti wanted to "massacre law enforcement.”
Minneapolis Police Chief responded by saying that police believe Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. None of the bystander videos of the incident show Pretti with a visible gun, while it appears that a federal agent removed a weapon found on him after he was tackled to the ground.
Governor Walz said in a statement, "As I told the White House in no uncertain terms this morning, the federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation. The state will handle it. Period." During a news conference on Saturday, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Superintendent Drew Evans said that, despite a judge-issued search warrant, BCA officials were blocked by federal agents from accessing the scene.
On Sunday, Minnesota Attorney General, on behalf of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and alongside the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office against the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies, was granted a temporary restraining order by Judge Eric Tostrud after filing a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), the U.S. Border Control, their respective leadership, as well as United States Attorney General Pam Bondi as defendants. The order prevents the above-listed entities from "altering or destroying evidence related to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by DHS agents." (Judge Tostrud will hold a follow-up hearing on Monday to decide if the evidence preservation order should be extended or if federal agents have valid objections.)
The Associated Press reported that the Department of Homeland Security had posted photos of the gun recovered at the scene on X before Pretti's family had been notified of his death. "Minnesota state officials said that, by removing the weapon from the scene, Border Patrol officers likely mishandled key evidence," they said.
In a statement from the Pretti family, which widely circulated on social media the day of the shooting, his parents said, "Alex is clearly not holding a gun...He has his phone in his right hand, and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down, all while being pepper-sprayed. Please get the truth out about our son.”
Responses to the incident
On Sunday, an open letter posted to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website, signed by over 60 CEOs representing Minnesota-based companies and sports teams, called for "an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions," before adding, "In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future."Additionally, several politicians, including Republicans, called for more information and an investigation into DHS's federal immigration tactics. Many Minnesota-based politicians, including Governor Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar, have called for ICE to leave Minnesota.
Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada has called for Noem's impeachment, while several other Democrats have vowed to cut off funding for DHS. This comes during the week when a spending bill must pass to avoid a partial government shutdown by January 30.
On social media on Sunday, President Donald Trump said, "Tragically, two American Citizens have lost their lives as a result of this Democrat-led chaos."
On Monday morning, Republican Chris Madel announced on Facebook that he was ending his run for Minnesota Governor. In the statement, he said, "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.”
City of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and State of Minnesota Lawsuit
On January 12, the State of Minnesota (through the Attorney General's office) and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul filed a lawsuit against DHS and related entities, asking the court to end "Operation Metro Surge" and declare it unlawful and unconstitutional. Specifically, the lawsuit states that the surge violates "the First and Tenth Amendments of the Constitution, as well as the Constitution’s guarantee of equal sovereignty between state and federal governments," as well as the "Administrative Procedure Act."On Monday, January 26, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez will begin to hear arguments. Menendez is the same judge who ruled that "federal officers in Minnesota can’t detain or tear gas peaceful protesters who aren’t obstructing authorities, including people who follow and observe agents," according to the Associated Press.
That court ruling was temporarily halted, and after Pretti's killing on Saturday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota requested an emergency lift of that suspension. The Justice Department is fighting this request, maintaining that the original protections are impractical and should remain suspended.
It is unknown when the Judge will make her decision on ending "Operation Metro Surge."
ICE Out of Minnesota Day of Truth & Freedom
The killing comes a day after thousands of Minnesotans marched and hundreds of businesses went on strike as part of the statewide ICE Out of Minnesota Day of Truth & Freedom. Described by organizers as a day of "non-violent moral action, reflection, and collective effort," the event centers on an economic blackout, including "No Work, No School, No Shopping" to demonstrate the impact of the "immigrant community and its supporters on the state's economy."
In Cook County, over 75 people gathered in the cold, below freezing, to protest in support of the movement. Dozens of local businesses and organizations were closed in solidarity.
