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By Open Chronicle News Desk with Agencies
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a significant shift in rhetoric, President Donald Trump announced on Monday that a federal investigation has been launched into the recent fatal shootings involving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Minneapolis. Speaking to reporters, the President expressed discomfort with the escalating violence, stating, “I don’t like the shooting,” and admitted he is considering withdrawing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from the city.
The announcement follows weeks of intense civil unrest and fierce criticism from Minnesota officials after the deaths of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good and 37-year-old Alex Pretti. Both victims were killed by federal agents during “Operation Metro Surge” missions, sparking nationwide protests and a standoff between the state government and the White House.
“We are looking into it very strongly,” Trump said regarding the conduct of the agents. While he had previously defended the operations and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s characterization of the incidents as responses to “domestic terrorism,” his latest comments suggest a potential de-escalation. “If they can’t handle it without this kind of trouble, we might just have to pull them out. We want safety, but we don’t want this.”
The President’s comments come as Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey continue to demand the immediate cessation of federal tactical operations in residential neighborhoods. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has struggled to lead the investigations due to federal jurisdictional hurdles, a point of contention that Trump suggested might be addressed in the new federal probe.
Despite the shift in tone, it remains unclear if a total withdrawal is imminent or if the “Operation Metro Surge” will simply be recalibrated. Critics argue the President’s remarks are a response to plummeting approval ratings in the Midwest, while supporters suggest he is prioritizing a return to order over aggressive enforcement tactics that have turned the Twin Cities into a “war zone.”
The White House has not yet provided a timeline for the investigation or a definitive date for any potential withdrawal of federal personnel.