Donald Trump Sidelines Kristi Noem amid Minnesota Unrest As Calls Grow for Full Investigation into Alex Pretti Case

As unrest escalates in Minnesota after a deadly ICE shooting, the White House shifts command as questions grow over the president's handling of the crisis.

The fatal shooting of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse Alex Pretti by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a protest in Minneapolis sparked widespread demonstrations and public outcry.

As pressure builds for a full investigation, President Donald Trump has made cautious remarks about the incident and reshaped federal leadership in the state, signaling a change in how his administration is responding.

Leadership Reassigned

On January 26, 2026, Trump announced that White House border czar Tom Homan would be sent to Minnesota to lead the federal response. His appointment follows a second deadly immigration enforcement incident in the state this month.

"He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me."

The decision removes Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem from day-to-day operational oversight in the state.

Additionally, Trump used the announcement to raise concerns about a large-scale welfare fraud case reportedly under investigation in Minnesota, which he linked to the ongoing unrest.

He also alleged that Representative Ilhan Omar was under review by the Department of Justice and Congress, writing in his post that she "left Somalia with NOTHING, and is now reportedly worth more than 44 Million Dollars." Trump concluded. "Time will tell all. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT."

In response, Noem posted a public message on X in support of Homan, calling him a "major asset" to their team and emphasizing her continued focus on fraud enforcement and public safety. She added:

"We continue to call on the leadership in Minnesota to allow for state and local partnership in our public safety mission. Thank you Mr. President."

While the leadership shift marked a major move in the federal response, public attention remained focused on the deadly incident that sparked the unrest.

Trump Weighs in as Investigation Lags

The change in leadership follows public outcry over the death of Pretti, a 37‑year‑old nurse whom immigration agents fatally shot during a protest in Minneapolis. The shooting has led to widespread demonstrations and growing calls for a full and independent investigation.

So far, the White House has not provided a timeline for completing its review or deciding whether to withdraw federal agents from the area.

In a five-minute phone interview with The Wall Street Journal on Sunday night, Trump said the case is under review. "We're looking, we're reviewing everything and will come out with a determination," he said, when asked twice whether the agent acted appropriately, but did not offer an opinion on the officer's actions.

Trump said other details of the situation also concerned him, adding, "But I don't like it when somebody goes into a protest and he's got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also. That doesn't play good either."

As the federal response continues to draw scrutiny, more voices have emerged to condemn the incident and call for accountability.

As previously reported, former U.S. President Barack Obama, in a rare and sharply worded public statement, condemned the killing of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, and laid the blame squarely on the Trump administration's handling of federal law enforcement.

Obama Lashes Out at Federal Agents over 'Heartbreaking Tragedy'

Calling the incident "a heartbreaking tragedy," Obama warned that it should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, highlighting that core national values are increasingly "under assault." The remarks, made on January 25, 2026, marked one of Obama's most overt criticisms of a sitting president since leaving office.

"Administration officials seem eager to escalate the situation," Obama said, referencing the chaos that erupted in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of both Pretti and Renee Good.

He accused federal agents of deploying "unprecedented tactics" meant to intimidate and harass citizens, tactics he said have now led to avoidable deaths. For weeks, growing outrage has surged nationwide following footage of masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruits and other agents operating aggressively in U.S. neighborhoods.

Obama echoed that sentiment, denouncing the federal agents' conduct as "embarrassing, lawless and cruel," even quoting a former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) top lawyer who had used those exact words to criticize such practices.

He went further, accusing the current administration of issuing "public explanations for the shootings of Mr. Pretti and Renee Good that aren't informed by any serious investigation — and that appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence."

Mounting Fury and Plea for Peace

In a plea for de-escalation, Obama urged officials to work constructively with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and local law enforcement to avoid further violence and restore accountability.

"This has to stop," he asserted, warning that without action, more American lives could be put at risk.

The former president concluded his statement by expressing support for peaceful protests across the country, dubbing them a "timely reminder" of the public's power to challenge injustice and demand transparency and accountability from their government.

Family of Slain Nurse Speaks Out

While former President Obama's remarks amplified growing national outrage over the killing, the voice of Pretti's heartbroken family added a profoundly human dimension to the tragedy.

In their first public statement since the on-camera shooting, the family of the late ICU nurse described themselves as both "heartbroken and angry," condemning what they called a campaign of misinformation surrounding his death.

"The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting," they said. "Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs." Pretti was killed during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, where he had reportedly joined a protest against ICE's presence.

Caught on Camera: Harrowing Final Moments Captured in Graphic Footage

Footage from the scene showed Pretti attempting to shield a woman who had been shoved to the ground by officers. With his phone in hand and his left arm raised in what appeared to be a protective gesture, Pretti was then forcibly separated from the woman, pepper-sprayed, and ultimately subdued by six agents.

The graphic video showed Pretti struggling on all fours under the weight of several officers. One ICE agent was seen reaching for his holstered firearm. Moments later, a barrage of gunfire erupted, killing him instantly.

Family Honors a Life of Service and Sacrifice

Pretti's family painted a portrait of a devoted son, friend, and public servant who had committed his life to helping others.

"Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital," the statement reads.

Calling him a "hero," the family insisted that his final moments embodied the values he lived by. "Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman."

While the DHS claimed that Pretti was armed with a nine mm handgun and that agents fired in self-defense, his family adamantly rejected that account, calling it a distortion of the truth.

"He has his phone in his right hand and [SIC] his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down — all while being pepper-sprayed," they clarified.

Demanding accountability and public awareness, the family closed their statement with an emotional plea, "Please get the truth out about our son." They emphasized that above all, he was a "good man."

As calls for justice and transparency intensify, the death of Alex Pretti has become more than a tragic moment — it has become a rallying cry against the unchecked use of force, and a solemn reminder of the lives lost in its wake.