AT A GLANCE
- The Trump White House has softened its rhetoric following the second fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, emphasizing ongoing investigations and a pause from earlier incendiary claims.
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott publicly called on the administration to “recalibrate” ICE’s mission, urging a return to enforcement without escalating community conflict.
- Video evidence and public backlash have undercut initial administration narratives about Alex Pretti, intensifying scrutiny from both Democrats and some Republicans.
- Federal immigration operations in Minnesota are expected to scale back, with oversight shifting as border czar Tom Homan moves in to manage ICE activity.
A Shift in Tone From the White House, Abbott, and Other GOP Officials
After days of national outrage following the fatal ICE shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, the Trump White House appears to be recalibrating its message.
Despite a long-standing political habit of doubling down, the administration adopted a more restrained posture Monday as protests intensified in Minnesota and scrutiny mounted nationwide. Trump announced on Truth Social that he had a “very good call” with Gov. Walz, a notable departure from the sharp rhetoric he has aimed at the Minnesota governor in recent months.
“We, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength,” Trump wrote.
White House Emphasizes Investigations
At the White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the administration does not want to see further loss of life.
“Nobody in the White House, including President Trump, wants to see people getting hurt or killed in America’s streets,” Leavitt said, referencing both Pretti and Renee Good, who was killed earlier this month during a separate ICE-related incident.
Leavitt confirmed that Pretti’s death remains under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and Customs and Border Protection.
“As President Trump said yesterday, the administration is reviewing everything with respect to the shooting, and we will let that investigation play out,” she said.
Contrast With Earlier ICE Shooting Response
The White House’s measured language stands in stark contrast to its response following the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good. In that case, administration officials quickly blamed the 37-year-old wife and mother, accusing her of attempting to “weaponize” her vehicle against ICE agents—claims made before any full investigation had concluded.
In Pretti’s case, video footage released shortly after the shooting contradicted statements from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who had described Pretti as an “assassin” and claimed he was “brandishing” a firearm.
Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who worked with veterans, was shot less than two weeks after Good’s death, further intensifying public concern over federal enforcement actions.
Abbott Calls for ICE to “Recalibrate” After Minnesota Shooting
As pressure mounts on the White House, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott added his voice to the growing calls for a shift in approach following the second fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota.
Speaking Monday on conservative radio host Mark Davis’ show, Abbott said the administration needs to “recalibrate” Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s mission to rebuild public trust while maintaining enforcement priorities.
Abbott argued that immigration officials should return to what he described as their original mandate.
“They need to get back to what they wanted to do to begin with — and that is to remove people from the country who are here illegally,” he said.
While emphasizing support for law enforcement, Abbott acknowledged the difficulty of restoring confidence amid the current climate.
“In general, we need to have respect for law enforcement officers in the country. ICE, they are law enforcement officers,” Abbott said. “So they, being the White House, need to recalibrate on what needs to be done to make sure that that respect is going to be reinstilled. And that’s not an easy task, especially under the current circumstances.”
Abbott said he believes the administration is developing a “game plan” to make ICE operations more structured and less disruptive to communities.
“To make sure that they are going to be able to remove these people, but without causing all the kinds of problems and fighting in communities that they are experiencing right now,” he said.
He also reiterated his support for the administration’s broader immigration agenda, saying the president “cannot enforce immigration laws without the brave men and women of ICE,” while signaling that recent events have made recalibration unavoidable.
Political Pressure Builds
The fallout appears to be extending beyond Democrats and activists. According to CNN, some Republican lawmakers—who rarely criticize the administration publicly—have expressed concern over the handling of the situation.
The report also indicates that Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino, who has overseen the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, is expected to leave Minneapolis with some federal agents on Tuesday.
Leavitt on Monday appeared to distance Trump from Noem and Miller’s earlier remarks, underscoring that the president wants the facts to guide the outcome.
“This has obviously been a very fluid and fast-moving situation throughout the weekend,” she said. “As for President Trump, whom I speak for, he has said that he wants to let the investigation continue and let the facts lead in this case.”
