Trump agrees to ‘look into’ reducing federal ICE presence in Minnesota amid Minneapolis backlash

A phone call after a deadly weekend escalates an already tense standoff

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s office said President Donald Trump agreed to “look into” reducing the number of federal immigration agents operating in Minnesota and to coordinate more closely with the state on immigration enforcement focused on violent criminals. The statement came amid widening outrage following the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during an encounter involving federal agents.

The dispute is not only political but legal. Federal judges in Minnesota are weighing cases that could affect the ongoing federal deployment in Minneapolis, including questions about whether the surge of agents was authorized and how evidence related to the death is handled. The situation has become a flashpoint for broader arguments about federal power, state sovereignty, and accountability for law-enforcement actions.

Calls for investigations and pressure from both parties

The aftermath has generated increasing pressure on the administration to support a full investigation. According to the same reporting, bipartisan figures have demanded answers, and the controversy has become entangled with debates in Washington over oversight and funding for agencies involved in immigration enforcement.

Minnesota officials are also pushing for state-level investigators to conduct an independent inquiry, arguing that this is the standard approach after a death involving law enforcement in the state. Walz’s office said Trump agreed to speak with the Department of Homeland Security about ensuring Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is able to investigate independently.

What to watch next

The next developments are likely to come from the courts and from the White House’s internal review of federal activity in Minneapolis. Any judicial decision affecting the deployment could reshape operations immediately, while a reduction in agents—if it occurs—would be a significant shift in posture after days of escalating confrontation between state officials and federal authorities.

Separately, the political fallout inside Minnesota is also intensifying, as the controversy becomes a dominant issue for state leaders and congressional lawmakers. The case is drawing national attention, and the handling of investigative access and evidence preservation could be decisive in shaping both legal outcomes and public trust.