Republicans Retreat from Full Defense of Border Patrol After Minneapolis Shooting
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Amid widespread outrage following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis,key Republicans within the Trump administration are signaling a shift in tone,though the extent of any policy change remains unclear.
The White House appears to be attempting to de-escalate tensions after the shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, on Saturday. However, whether this represents a genuine recalibration of the administration’s hardline immigration policies, or simply damage control, is still being debated. The incident has sparked protests and drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle, prompting a cautious response from some of the administration’s most vocal defenders.
Tensions Remain High in Minneapolis
On the ground in Minneapolis,little evidence suggests a reduction in federal presence. Protests continued Wednesday morning outside the federal Whipple Building, the focal point of immigration enforcement activity in the city. Demonstrators voiced their anger, with shouts of “Traitor!” and “Murderers!” directed at federal agents entering and exiting the building.
“They’ve entrenched themselves here,” observed Richi Mead, a peaceful observer tracking federal vehicle movements. “there’s no end to this – and there’s no end to Minnesotans showing up.” Mead reported that the level of activity appeared to be “business as usual,” indicating no immediate withdrawal of federal immigration agents.
Reports circulated via encrypted neighborhood chats of continued enforcement actions, including one instance where agents were said to have a person “trapped in home who went back to house for documentation.”
Initial Defenses Backtrack Amid Contradictory Evidence
Initially, some administration officials defended the Border Patrol’s actions, but that stance has softened as details emerged. one senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted, “it’s going to stay with us, or be gone in 24 hours, it’s hard to say.” He added that the administration’s history of unpredictable policy shifts makes it tough to predict how long the de-escalation will last,comparing their changes in direction to “first time drivers…all over the place.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi, visiting Minnesota on Wednesday, announced the arrest of 16 individuals she labeled “rioters,” charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement. “NOTHING will stop President Trump and this Department of Justice from enforcing the law,” Bondi stated on X.
Experts like Lucas guttentag, a professor of law at Stanford University, believe the administration’s response is primarily tactical. “But that’s a low bar; the fundamental policy hasn’t changed,” he said, pointing out that policies regarding detention, deportation, and racial profiling remain unchanged. “This is a tactical retreat, but not a change of policy.”
Calls for Communication and Training
despite the limited changes, some see the dialog initiated by Border Policy Advisor Tom Homan with minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as a positive step. johnson emphasized the need for “some communication and some discussion in an effort to bring down the temperature,” arguing that harsh rhetoric from top officials can embolden aggressive tactics on the ground.
Johnson advocated for a withdrawal of ICE officers from Minneapolis, increased training for federal immigration agents, and a reevaluation of roving patrols that target individuals based on their appearance. He warned that such tactics have “terrorized communities.”
The replacement of Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino with Homan has been met with skepticism, as Johnson described Homan as “a relatively aggressive immigration enforcement type.” Christine Hebl, a Minneapolis resident, expressed similar doubts, stating, “It’s a PR stunt in my mind…I think that it’s going to continue or even perhaps worsen. You cannot believe a single word that comes out of this regime’s mouths. It’s going to continue and I’m scared – I’m really scared.”
