US President Donald Trump tonight accused the governor of Minnesota and the mayor of Minneapolis – both Democrats – of “inciting insurrection” in the state, after they called for the withdrawal of federal agents following a second deadly shooting of an American citizen during an ICE operation.
Trump on new Minneapolis death: Suspect had loaded weapon – Mayor and Governor incite insurrection
“The mayor and governor are inciting insurrection with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, defending the agents’ actions. He added that they must “let immigration police alone” to “do their job.”
Trump’s full post about the bloody Minneapolis incident
This is the perpetrator’s weapon, fully loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready for action – What does all this mean? Where is the local police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE officers? Did the mayor and governor withdraw them? It’s reported that many of these police officers weren’t allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect itself alone — Not easy! Why does Ilhan Omar have $34 million in her account? And where are the billions of dollars that have been stolen from the once-Great State of Minnesota? We’re here because of massive financial fraud, with billions of dollars missing, and illegal criminals who were allowed to penetrate the state through the Democrats’ open border policies. We want the money back, and we want it back NOW. These fraudsters who stole the money will go to prison, where they belong! This is no different from a really big bank robbery. Much of what you’re watching is a COVER for this theft and fraud.
The Mayor and Governor are inciting insurrection with their fancy, dangerous and arrogant rhetoric! Instead, these hypocritical political clowns should be looking for the Billions of Dollars that have been stolen from the people of Minnesota and the United States of America. LET THE ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB! 12,000 illegal alien criminals, many of them violent, have been arrested and removed from Minnesota. If they were still there, you would see something much worse than what you’re watching today!
Timeline of the fatal Minneapolis clash and reactions
Minneapolis became a battlefield on Saturday (1/24) when federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot and killed a 37-year-old American citizen, Alex Jeffrey Pretty, during an operation. Specifically, according to CBS News, the Minneapolis incident occurred near the intersection of Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street, triggering an immediate explosion of anger and violent clashes between protesters and police forces. Moreover, according to local Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the victim was a neighborhood resident and legal gun owner, while his only previous contact with authorities involved traffic violations.
After news of the 37-year-old’s death, the situation in Minneapolis escalated rapidly. Video from CBS affiliate WCCO showed protesters setting up barricades with garbage cans and clashing with federal agents. Law enforcement forces used chemical sprays to disperse the crowd while declaring the gathering “illegal.” Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Trisha McLaughlin characterized the protesters as “rioters,” while many citizens expressed their demand for ICE to be removed from their community.
Notably, according to the DHS spokesperson, agents were conducting a targeted operation against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault. During the operation, a man approached US Border Patrol agents carrying a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Trisha McLaughlin claimed officers attempted to disarm him, but he violently resisted. An agent allegedly fired in self-defense, fearing for his life and his colleagues’ safety. She added that the situation resembled an attempt by the individual to cause maximum damage and slaughter law enforcement officers.
At 9:05 AM CT, as DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault, an individual approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, seen here.
The officers attempted to… pic.twitter.com/5Y50mYONGH
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 24, 2026
However, there’s disagreement in reports about where the 37-year-old died. The DHS spokesperson said death was confirmed at the scene, while Brian O’Hara reported the man died at the hospital. Additionally, the Minneapolis Police Chief emphasized that federal agents have provided no official public safety statement regarding the incident.
“We don’t know what happened before the video was recorded,” Brian O’Hara noted, referring to footage confirmed by CBS News showing agents struggling with an individual on the ground before gunshots were heard.
Political storm and appeals to Trump
City Mayor Jacob Frey appeared particularly shaken during a press conference, saying: “I just saw a video with more than six masked agents beating one of our fellow citizens and shooting him to death.” He then addressed the American President, asking: “How many more residents, how many more Americans, must die or be seriously injured before this operation ends? How many more lives must be lost before this administration realizes that a political and partisan narrative isn’t as important as American values? How many times must local and national leaders plead with you, Donald Trump, to end this operation and recognize that this isn’t creating safety in our city?”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also weighed in via social media, reporting he contacted the White House. “Minnesota has had it and this is sickening,” he wrote in his post, noting: “The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota.”
I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) January 24, 2026
It’s worth noting this is the second deadly incident involving federal agents in Minneapolis this month, as Renee Good lost her life to gunfire from ICE agent Jonathan Ross while she was in her car.
