Minneapolis live updates: DOJ launches investigation into Pretti killing, Deputy AG Blanche says

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem made her first public comments since Saturday.

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Last updated: Sunday, February 1, 2026 12:00AM GMT
Trump's border czar suggests a possible drawdown in Minnesota, but only after 'cooperation'

MINNEAPOLIS -- A 37-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday morning in Minneapolis -- the second shooting of a U.S. citizen this month by federal agents in the city.

The shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, ratcheted up tensions, as protesters clashed in the streets with law enforcement in the aftermath of the shooting.

The incident followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, on Jan. 7.

The shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, ratcheted up tensions, as protesters clashed in the streets with law enforcement in the aftermath of the shooting.

ByLaura Romero ABCNews logo
Jan 26, 2026, 11:15 PM GMT

Judge orders Trump administration to address Operation Metro Surge motives

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez has ordered the Trump administration to respond to Minnesota's argument that Operation Metro Surge was created to "punish" the state for its sanctuary laws.

In the order, the judge is asking the government to address the state's claims that the operation was put in place to punish the state for adopting sanctuary laws and policies; coerce officials into changing state and local laws; compel the state to use its resources to share information with federal immigration enforcement; and force local authorities to use more resources to hold immigration targets in detention for longer than otherwise allowed.

A federal agent holds a person as the agents try to clear the demonstrators near a hotel, using tear gas during a noise demonstration protest Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Minneapolis.
A federal agent holds a person as the agents try to clear the demonstrators near a hotel, using tear gas during a noise demonstration protest Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Minneapolis.

The federal judge ordered the government to file the supplemental brief by Wednesday evening.

The order follows a hearing earlier Monday on Minnesota's request for a temporary restraining order to halt the Trump administration's immigration enforcement in the state.

ByLuke Barr ABCNews logo
Jan 26, 2026, 10:53 PM GMT

Noem to testify in front of Senate Judiciary in March: Durbin

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3, according to ranking Democratic member Sen. Dick Durbin.

"With all of the violence and deaths involving DHS, the Secretary is apparently in no hurry to account for her mismanagement of this national crisis. And she expects us to rubber stamp her record-breaking budget in the meantime," Durbin, D-Ill., said in a statement announcing the appearance.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Washington.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Washington.
ByArmando Garcia ABCNews logo
Jan 26, 2026, 10:39 PM GMT

No ruling yet on TRO for evidence preservation

A federal judge did not rule from the bench on Monday on whether to dissolve a temporary restraining order requiring the Trump administration to preserve evidence related to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.

During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Friedrich Siekert reiterated the government's position that the TRO should be dissolved because lawyers representing the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) had no proof that the government is not preserving evidence related to Saturday's shooting.

"The intention of the federal government and all the agencies is to preserve this evidence until the conclusion of all federal matters," Siekert said.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Washington.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Washington.

In a declaration previously filed in court, an unnamed FBI official who was at the scene of the shooting said that in the immediate aftermath of the incident they adhered to a 12-step process of collecting/preserving evidence, but that due to the scene becoming volatile with protesters, that process "was adapted for the safety of personnel."

When asked by the judge to explain what adaptations were made, Siekert said he did not know.

Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Peter Farrell argued on behalf of BCA and said the state agency had "serious concerns" that the government would not be able to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, claiming that they had reason to believe there has already been "potential spoliation" of evidence.

Farrell hinted that the photos shared of the gun allegedly owned by Pretti showed that federal law enforcement officials were not preserving evidence in the same way that state investigators might.

ByLuke Barr ABCNews logo
Jan 26, 2026, 9:22 PM GMT

CBP Chief Greg Bovino expected to leave Minneapolis Tuesday: sources

Customs and Border Protection Chief Greg Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis Tuesday, according to multiple sources.

Plans could shift given the fluid situation on the ground, however.