A U.S. judge on Monday began considering Minnesota’s request to halt the Trump immigration crackdown. This comes after the fatal shooting of a second U.S. citizen over the weekend, sparking a strong backlash. Minnesota’s lawyers urged U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez to suspend the administration’s surge of 3,000 immigration agents. They called it a violent and illegal occupation that risks public safety.
“This administration, your honor, is not content with the rule of law. They are not content with letting the courts work this out. Instead, they put violence into the streets of Minnesota to get what they want,” said Brian Carter, a lawyer for the state.
Judge Menendez, appointed by President Joe Biden, seemed skeptical. She questioned whether she had the authority to stop the operation based on the state’s sovereignty. “I don’t know how you are asking me to identify when the federal government has crossed the line,” she told Carter.
The Trump administration called the request an “absurdity” and argued that it would undermine federal law. The hearing could last several hours. Menendez may issue a decision once the hearing concludes.
The surge of immigration agents led to massive protests in freezing temperatures. Minnesota’s Democratic leaders have sharply criticized the operation. On Sunday, 60 of the state’s largest businesses, including Target, 3M, UnitedHealth, and U.S. Bancorp, called for de-escalation between Minnesota and the Trump administration.
In another development, Chris Mandel, a leading Republican candidate for governor, dropped out of the race on Monday. He said the crackdown had gone too far and made his campaign unwinnable. Mandel said, “I cannot support the national Republicans’ stated retribution on the citizens of our state, nor can I count myself a member of a party that would do so.”
In response, President Trump announced he would send White House border security czar Tom Homan to Minnesota following the shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by immigration agents during a protest in Minneapolis.
Homeland Security officials called the incident an attack by Pretti, claiming that agents fired in self-defense after he approached them with a handgun. However, video footage verified by Reuters contradicts this account. The footage shows Pretti holding a phone, not a gun, as agents subdued him. Officers then removed a firearm from his waistband just before they fatally shot him. Pretti was a licensed gun owner.
It is unclear if Trump’s decision to send Homan signals more federal involvement or a retreat. Unlike other immigration officials, Homan has not publicly commented on the incident. Meanwhile, other officials have labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist.”
Trump stated that Homan “has not been involved” in the Minnesota operation but “knows and likes many of the people there.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would stay in her role “with the full trust and confidence of the President.”
Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday that his administration is “reviewing everything” related to the incident. He added that immigration officials would eventually withdraw from the state.
Recent polling by Reuters shows that 39% of Trump’s Republican supporters think the administration should minimize harm, even if it leads to fewer immigration-related arrests. In Washington, Senate Democrats have pledged to oppose a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. This increases the chance of a partial government shutdown starting Sunday. While Republicans approved a large budget increase for immigration enforcement last year, some are now calling for answers from the Trump administration.
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