A senior US immigration official is expected to leave Minneapolis, signalling what may be a shift in tone by the White House following the fatal shooting of a second US citizen by federal immigration officers over the weekend.
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who has been the public face of the federal enforcement operation in the city, is preparing to depart Minneapolis alongside a number of immigration agents. In his place, President Donald Trump’s border tsar, Tom Homan, will take over on-the-ground coordination after the killing of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti on Saturday sharply escalated tensions.
The move is being interpreted in Washington as a possible attempt by the administration to step back from its most aggressive posture amid mounting political and public pressure. However, online tracking data shows that immigration raids have continued despite the announced changes.
The leadership change comes as the Trump administration faces growing criticism from both Democrats and senior Republicans, with calls intensifying for an independent investigation into Pretti’s death.
President Trump has, in recent days, softened his public rhetoric. He has held phone calls with Democratic state and city leaders, which he described as constructive, marking a notable change from the sharp attacks he levelled against them over the weekend. The president has also avoided repeating claims made by senior aides that appeared to place blame on Pretti.
On Monday, Republican defence lawyer Chris Madel, a candidate in Minnesota’s gubernatorial race, withdrew from the contest, describing the federal operation in the state as “an unmitigated disaster”. Madel has previously provided legal advice to the agent involved in the fatal shooting of another Minneapolis resident, Renee Good, earlier this month.
Bovino was at the centre of the operation when Pretti, who had been filming federal agents, became involved in a confrontation that ended with him being shot multiple times.
The Border Patrol commander claimed Pretti intended to “massacre” federal officers — a statement that further inflamed protests across the city.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said agents acted in self-defence.
“The agents fired in self-defence after Pretti, who was armed with a handgun, resisted attempts to disarm him,” DHS said.
That account has been strongly disputed by eyewitnesses, local officials and Pretti’s family, who insist he was holding a mobile phone, not a weapon.
Pretti’s parents accused the administration of spreading what they described as “sickening lies” about their son’s death.
Video analysis conducted by BBC Verify found no visible gun in Pretti’s hand at the time he was shot.
Bovino has played a central role in the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration approach, particularly in Democratic-led cities. He has been highly visible on social media, frequently filming raids and posting promotional videos of enforcement actions.
Although some media reports suggested Bovino had been dismissed, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin denied those claims.
“Chief Bovino is a key part of the president’s team and a great American,” she said.
Homan, who will now report directly to President Trump, is a staunch advocate of aggressive enforcement but brings longer institutional experience, having served during the Democratic administration of former President Barack Obama.
Tensions remained high across Minneapolis and neighbouring St Paul on Monday, with residents describing fear and disruption caused by the federal presence.
“A lot of people aren’t able to work right now. They aren’t able to leave their house. They’re afraid,” said George Cordero, a St Paul resident.
Carol Engelheart, a retired nurse from Minneapolis, said the events had shaken her deeply.
“We need to care about this country. We need to care that we still have a Constitution. And if people organise and stand up, we can do this,” she said.
Pretti was the second Minneapolis resident killed by federal immigration officers since their deployment to the state. On 7 January, Renee Good was shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.
An estimated 3,000 federal immigration agents are currently operating in the city.
In a statement released on Monday and reported by the Associated Press, Pretti’s younger sister, Micayla Pretti, described her brother as “my hero”.
“When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough?” she said.
Memorials and demonstrations continued into Monday night. Around 100 protesters gathered outside the hotel where Bovino was believed to be staying, demanding his immediate departure. Further vigils and protests are planned in the coming days.
The crackdown in Minneapolis began in December after several Somali immigrants were convicted in a large-scale fraud involving state welfare programmes. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali immigrant population in the United States.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that it was the president’s “hope and wish and demand for the resistance and chaos” in Minneapolis to end.
President Trump spoke separately with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats who have opposed the federal operation and demanded the withdrawal of immigration agents.
Trump described his conversation with Walz as positive.
“We’re on a similar wavelength,” the president said, adding that his focus was “any and all criminals that they have in their possession”.
Governor Walz said Trump agreed to review the federal presence and the investigative process.
“The president agreed to look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and to speak with DHS about ensuring the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension can conduct an independent investigation, as would ordinarily be the case,” Walz said.
Walz has repeatedly stressed that an independent investigation into Pretti’s death is essential. After the shooting, local authorities sought a judicial warrant to secure the scene and preserve evidence. Following Renee Good’s killing, state officials said they were excluded from the federal investigation.
Mayor Frey said he hopes to meet Tom Homan on Tuesday to discuss next steps.
Several senior Republicans have publicly expressed concern over the unfolding crisis.
US Senator Ted Cruz said on his podcast:
“I would encourage the administration to be more measured and to recognise the tragedy.”
Another Trump ally, Senator Lindsey Graham, described the decision to deploy Homan as “a very smart move”.
Utah Senator John Curtis joined calls for accountability, saying:
“There must be a transparent, independent investigation. Those responsible — no matter their title — must be held accountable.”
Boluwatife Enome
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