In January, federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis — 37-year-old Renee Good and Alex Pretti — in two separate incidents.
What events in Minneapolis made Donald Trump change his approach?
What did Trump say about his conversations with the governor of Minnesota?
How many federal immigration agents have been withdrawn from Minnesota?
What false claim about migration did Trump repeat?
Previously, Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and other administration officials suggested without providing evidence that the victims were “homegrown terrorists.” Later, video recordings questioned some of the original claims about the legitimacy of the use of weapons, which caused a wave of outrage in the country.
Dispute between the Donald Trump administration and the Minnesota authorities
The president remains at odds with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who have publicly criticized his “repression” and condemned the deadly shootings. Trump, however, says he tried to ease tensions with talks.
— We're dealing with some really dangerous criminals… I called the governor. I called the mayor… I had great conversations with them. And then I see them outside screaming and going crazy. Literally as if no one was calling them Trump said.
On Wednesday, U.S. “border czar” Tom Homan announced the withdrawal of 700 federal immigration agents from Minnesota. When asked if the decision came from him, Trump confirmed. At the same time he added: “But it didn't come from me, because I just wanted to do it… We are waiting for them to release the prisoners, hand over the murderers… all the bad people… And we will get them out of there“.
Donald Trump's untruths about the US migration situation
The president again repeated the thesis that “25 million people entered the US illegally during Joe Biden's administration.”
As NBC reminds us, the claim is false — According to data from the US Border Patrol, 7.4 million people crossed the border outside legal checkpoints during this period. Despite the change in tone in the Minneapolis case, Trump announces that his administration will remain “tough”, combining announcements of greater sensitivity with a tough deportation policy.
