Minnesota Governor Walz calls for Trump to remove border agents

US President Faces Pressure Over Immigration Crackdown Amid Fatal Shooting

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called on US President Donald Trump to remove “untrained” federal immigration agents from the state, following the fatal shooting of a demonstrator in Minneapolis. The incident marks the second such killing in the city during an ongoing immigration crackdown.

On Sunday, Walz posed a direct question to Trump during a news briefing, asking what plan was in place to address the situation and remove the federal agents from Minnesota. “What’s the plan, Donald Trump? What is the plan?” he asked. Walz also stated that the state believes in law and order and peace, and that Trump needs to take action to resolve the issue.

The shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, occurred on Saturday while federal agents were scuffling with him on an icy roadway in Minneapolis. The incident has sparked outrage among local residents, law enforcement, and Democrats on Capitol Hill, who have called for an independent investigation into the killing.

Senior Trump administration officials have defended Pretti’s killing, citing a handgun allegedly found on his person. However, graphic video footage appears to contradict their accounts, showing Pretti never drawing a weapon before being shot by agents. The footage has further fueled protests in Minneapolis against the presence of federal immigration agents.

Trump administration officials claim that border agents acted in self-defense, echoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s statement on Sunday. However, local law enforcement and many residents have expressed outrage at the claims, accusing them of turning a low-crime city into an “occupation”.

The incident has prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability from federal agencies. Democratic strategist Arshad Hasan stated that Pretti’s killing was “deeply unsettling” and accused federal agents of creating dangerous circumstances in the community.

As the situation continues to unfold, Walz’s demand for Trump to remove the federal agents from Minnesota remains a pressing issue.

Source: Al Jazeera