MINNEAPOLIS IN FLAMES — Federal Enforcement Under Fire as Deputy AG Blanche Blasts Local Politicians

Minneapolis, MN — As Minnesota smolders after federal immigration agents were involved in the deadly shooting of a protester, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued one of the strongest defenses yet of federal law enforcement — directly challenging the “soft-on-crime” politicians demanding ICE pull back.

Blanche, responding on January 25 to growing calls from local Democrats — including Gov. Tim Walz — to shut down federal immigration operations in Minneapolis, made clear that the deaths and chaos unfolding in the Twin Cities are not the fault of law-abiding federal officers but the predictable result of lawless leadership on the state and city level.

“We feel sympathy for the family and friends of the deceased,” Blanche said. “But make no mistake — this was entirely avoidable if we had a governor, a mayor, any leadership in Washington or Minnesota who actually cared about protecting their own citizens. That would end the violence and put real law enforcement on the streets behind ICE, not in front of the mobs.”

The incident began on January 24 when a federal agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old protester, during a confrontation outside a federal immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. Pretti had been involved in demonstrations opposing ICE activity in the city.

Federal officials say agents fired “defensive shots” after Pretti allegedly approached them with a handgun and “violently resisted” when officers attempted to disarm him. Department of Homeland Security officials said Pretti arrived at the scene to “impede a law enforcement operation.”

Left-leaning officials and media outlets have instead highlighted bystander footage that appears to show Pretti holding a phone moments before the shooting — a narrative Minnesota Democrats quickly used to condemn federal forces and demand an end to immigration enforcement.

The aftermath was immediate and explosive. Angry crowds gathered, clashing with ICE officers. Tear gas and flashbangs were deployed. The Minnesota National Guard was activated at Gov. Walz’s direction and sent both to the shooting site and to a federal building where protesters have confronted officials daily.

Walz, echoing activist pressure, declared that the Trump administration “must end” the operation.

“Minnesota has had it. This is sickening,” he wrote. “Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”

Local Democrats have framed federal enforcement as oppression, while progressive lawmakers in Washington have floated threats to block Department of Homeland Security funding. Labor unions and activist organizations have joined protests, demanding a halt to immigration operations in the state.

To Blanche and other federal officials, this response represents surrender — abandoning law-abiding citizens to mobs and disorder.

Blanche made clear that immigration officers are doing “a very tough job” under hostile conditions, often without support from local police or political leaders.

“These men and women are not protesting. They are not peacefully protesting,” he said. “ICE has a very tough job. It is very hard when they’re walking, trying to do their job, and there are agitators and rioters everywhere.”

He stressed that video footage alone cannot tell the full story and that an investigation is already underway.

“You can’t tell exactly what happened,” Blanche said. “That’s exactly why you have to have an investigation, which is exactly what Homeland Security is doing.”

Republicans in Congress have warned that undermining immigration enforcement invites further chaos, emboldens agitators, and leaves communities vulnerable.

Minneapolis has become ground zero in the national battle over borders, crime, and federal authority. With state leaders demanding ICE retreat and federal officials standing firm, the country is watching a familiar pattern unfold: progressive leadership refuses to enforce the law, unrest follows, and blame is shifted onto the very officers trying to restore order.

Blanche’s message draws a hard line — stand with law enforcement and national sovereignty, or allow radical politics to turn American cities into permanent flashpoints of chaos.