The Trump administration spent the past 24 hours attempting to make amends with Minnesota after the shooting death of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti triggered bipartisan political backlash.
Why it matters: President Trump appears to be softening his tone on immigration enforcement after weeks of escalation in the state — but it remains unclear what his intentions are going forward.
- "Crime is way down, but both Governor Walz and I want to make it better!" Trump said on Truth Social.
Here's what the administration has done so far.
Homan in, Bovino out
Trump on Monday announced he would send his border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to oversee immigration operations following Pretti's killing.
- Unlike the broader ICE enforcement surge currently underway in the state, Homan has reportedly favored deportations focused on people he considers criminals and national security threats.
Reducing Border Patrol officers
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino and some federal agents will be leaving Minnesota on Tuesday, according to local leaders and multiple media reports.
- It's the clearest sign yet that Trump may be willing to de-escalate the immigration enforcement surge in the state.
- "There's a definite change of tone," Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said. "There's a definitely a more collaborative tone."
Making nice with Walz and Frey
Trump has repeatedly clashed with Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey after the president sent thousands of federal agents to the state.
- Trump on Monday said he and Frey had a "very good" conversation and "lots of progress" was made — discussions he said would continue Tuesday with Homan.
- The president also said similar progress was made with Walz, noting the two "seemed to be on a similar wavelength."
Reality check: Trump has sharply attacked both leaders in recent weeks, posting just days ago that they were "inciting Insurrection."
- The Justice Department earlier this month launched an investigation into Walz and Frey for allegedly obstructing federal law enforcement officers in their state.
Walking back "domestic terrorist" claims
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has repeatedly referred to both Pretti and Minneapolis mother Renee Nicole Good — who was also killed by federal agents earlier this month — as domestic terrorists.
The other side: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday distanced the president from that rhetoric.
- When asked if Trump agrees with painting the victims that way, Leavitt told reporters she hadn't heard the president "characterize" Pretti as a domestic terrorist.
Yes, but: Trump told the New York Times after Good's death that, "She behaved horribly," adding that, "She ran (the federal agent) over."
- But the president changed his tone during a press briefing last week, saying Good's death was a "tragedy" after learning her father was a supporter.
- "He was a tremendous Trump fan," the president said. "I hope he still feels the same."
Go deeper: Trump signals de-escalation of ICE ops in Minneapolis
