Tensions have been high in Minnesota since the federal government began an immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities in December.
A major flashpoint erupted on January 7 when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis shot and killed 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Good. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said officers fired in self-defense because Good was attempting to “weaponize the vehicle.” State and local officials strongly dispute this claim. The fatal shooting was captured on video and sparked protests across the United States.
Then, on January 24, federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti. The Department of Homeland Security said he was armed with a handgun and “violently resisted” officers when they tried to disarm him. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the video showed that explanation to be “bullshit” and “lies.” A CNN video analysis appears to show a police officer pulling a gun from Preti just before he was shot.
The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities are suing the Trump administration, calling the immigration operation in the state a “federal invasion,” according to a lawsuit filed on January 12. The lawsuit alleges that Operation Metro Surge was not a legitimate law enforcement action but a retaliatory operation against the Democratic-led state of Minnesota, citing the president’s derogatory comments about local officials.
President Trump and his administration have said the Constitution gives the federal government broad authority to enforce domestic immigration laws as it sees fit.
Here are some articles that went viral last week and photos that caught our eye.
