Second Fatal Shooting Splits Republicans on Trump's Immigration Crackdown

Twice in one month. Federal immigration agents have now killed two Minneapolis residents during Donald Trump's enforcement crackdown, and this time, even Republicans are asking questions.

Saturday's fatal shooting of 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by ICE agents has exposed a growing rift within the Republican Party over the limits of federal power. While the Department of Homeland Security claims Pretti was "brandishing" a gun, local officials and eyewitnesses paint a starkly different picture—one that's making even Trump allies uncomfortable.

When the Story Doesn't Add Up

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara told the BBC that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with no criminal record beyond traffic violations. More troubling for federal authorities: witnesses say he was holding a phone, not a weapon, and that the shooting occurred after his legally registered firearm had already been removed.

The administration's decision to label Pretti a "domestic terrorist" has backfired spectacularly. His family called the characterization "sickening lies," while court records show no criminal history. Video evidence appears to contradict the federal narrative, creating a credibility crisis that's reverberating beyond Minneapolis.

The Republican Crack-Up

What's most striking isn't the predictable Democratic outrage—it's the Republican defections. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt told CNN that Americans watching "fellow Americans being shot on television" had made "federal tactics and accountability" a growing voter concern. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy called the shooting "incredibly disturbing," warning that "the credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake."

Even the National Rifle Association, typically Trump's most reliable ally on law enforcement issues, broke ranks. The NRA called for a "full investigation" and criticized those "making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens"—a barely veiled rebuke of the administration's "domestic terrorist" label.

Corporate America Steps In

More than 60 Minnesota-based CEOs, including leaders from 3M, Best Buy, and Target, signed an open letter demanding "immediate de-escalation" and cooperation between local and federal officials. This corporate intervention signals something beyond typical political posturing—businesses are worried about the economic impact of sustained civil unrest in a major Midwest hub.

The business community's involvement reflects a broader concern about Trump's immigration tactics affecting economic stability. When major corporations feel compelled to wade into immigration enforcement disputes, it suggests the political costs are mounting.

Federal Power Meets State Resistance

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has positioned this as a constitutional moment, declaring America at an "inflection point" regardless of political affiliation. His challenge to Trump—remove federal agents or face continued resistance—represents the most direct state-federal confrontation of the new administration.

Trump responded predictably, demanding on Truth Social that Walz and "EVERY Democrat Governor and Mayor" must "formally cooperate" with federal law enforcement. He blamed "sanctuary cities" for "all these problems," setting up a constitutional showdown over federal versus state authority.

Democrats have raised the stakes further, threatening to block government funding that includes DHS appropriations—potentially triggering another government shutdown.

The Broader Context

This confrontation stems from Trump's December crackdown following welfare fraud convictions involving some Somali immigrants. Minnesota hosts the largest Somali community in the US, making it a symbolic battleground for immigration policy. But the shooting of Pretti—a white, legally armed healthcare worker with no criminal record—has scrambled the usual political alignments.

Polls show roughly half of Americans support Trump's deportation efforts, but they're split on his enforcement methods. The Minneapolis shootings may be shifting that calculation, particularly among suburban Republicans who support immigration enforcement but worry about federal overreach.