Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• FBI Director Kash Patel launches investigation into Signal group chats used by protesters — FBI Director Kash Patel announced on January 26 that he launched an investigation into Signal group chats used by protesters in Minnesota to share information about federal immigration agents, including their locations and license plate numbers. The move targets legally obtained information and the act of recording law enforcement officials, both protected by the First Amendment.
• Justice Department appeals to Eighth Circuit after judge declines to issue arrest warrants for CNN anchor and protesters — Federal prosecutors sought Chief Judge Schiltz's assistance in arresting former CNN anchor Don Lemon and others linked to an anti-ICE church protest. After Schiltz declined to overturn a magistrate's denial of arrest warrants, the Justice Department appealed directly to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The circuit court rejected the government's request, prompting Schiltz to write letters criticizing the Justice Department's approach and highlighting the flood of "illegal" detention cases overwhelming Minnesota courts.
• FBI director announced investigation of Signal chats of Minneapolis observers — FBI Director Kash Patel told a right-wing podcaster that the FBI will investigate Signal chats of those organized in Minneapolis to observe and record federal agents, to determine if they endangered federal agents. Podcaster Benny Johnson suggested the chats were "coordinated infrastructure" and asked the FBI to "take a crack at trying to get rid of this infrastructure the way they approach the mob or cartels or other terrorist networks."
• TikTok suppresses anti-ICE videos following Oracle acquisition — Following TikTok's acquisition by an Oracle-led consortium in late January 2026, users reported inability to upload videos critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Law professor Stephen Vladeck reported his anti-ICE video remained "under review" for nine hours; comedian Megan Stalter and California State Sen. Scott Wiener also reported suppression. TikTok attributed the issue to a data center outage, but the timing coincided with Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison's known Trump loyalty, raising concerns about state influence over the platform's content moderation.
• Federal agents arrested journalist Don Lemon on FACE Act and civil rights conspiracy charges — More than two dozen federal agents arrested independent journalist Don Lemon late on January 29, charging him with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and conspiring to hurt the exercise of rights—a Reconstruction-era law originally used against the Ku Klux Klan. Lemon had filmed protesters disrupting a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18 at a white nationalist church with ties to the Trump administration. A magistrate judge and federal judge had both refused to issue warrants; the administration then sought indictment via federal grand jury. Lemon stated he would plead not guilty and continue his journalism.
• Federal agents arrest Don Lemon and three journalists — On January 29, federal agents arrested Don Lemon and three other journalists in relation to their coverage of an anti-ICE protest inside a St. Paul, Minnesota church. Lemon has been charged with conspiring to deprive others of their civil rights and violating the FACE Act by allegedly obstructing access to a house of worship. The arrests come one week after a federal magistrate judge rejected the Justice Department's initial request to bring charges. Lemon's lawyer Abbe Lowell called the move an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment" and a "transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration."
• Federal magistrate and district judge refused to issue arrest warrants for Don Lemon — A federal magistrate judge refused to issue a warrant for Don Lemon and his producer, stating prosecutors had not shown evidence justifying arrest. When the administration asked a federal judge to overturn that decision, the judge also refused, calling the request "unprecedented." The administration then escalated the case to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, which also refused to intervene.
• DOJ charges Don Lemon and three others with civil rights crimes related to Minnesota church protest — The Department of Justice charged former CNN anchor Don Lemon and three others with federal civil rights crimes, alleging they interfered with religious freedom at a church in Minnesota earlier in January. Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday while covering the Grammy Awards and released Friday. The charges also invoked the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. A federal magistrate judge had previously declined to sign an arrest warrant for Lemon, but the DOJ proceeded with charges anyway. The White House celebrated the arrest on social media.
• Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest — Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon, 59, was arrested on charges related to a Minnesota church protest. Lemon, who was terminated by CNN in 2023 following allegations of problematic behavior toward female colleagues and controversial on-air remarks, has since worked as an independent journalist on YouTube. The arrest marks a significant development in his career trajectory following his departure from mainstream media.
• Federal agents arrest journalist Georgia Fort for covering ICE protest at Minnesota church — Georgia Fort, an independent Minnesota journalist, was arrested at her home on January 30 after covering a January 18 protest at St. Paul's Cities church, where a pastor reportedly works for ICE. Fort was charged alongside Don Lemon under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) and conspiracy statutes—charges experts call unprecedented against journalists. The DOJ pursued the case aggressively after a federal judge and appeals court initially refused to charge the journalists; a grand jury eventually secured an indictment. Fort livestreamed her arrest and has since been unable to cover related stories due to legal and safety concerns.
• Federal agents conduct search of Fort's home and question her children — When federal agents arrested Georgia Fort at her home on January 30, approximately two dozen agents remained outside for hours after her arrest. As Fort's family attempted to leave, agents stopped them in the driveway and questioned her children about whether they possessed her laptop or cellphone. Fort's daughters, aged 17, 8, and 7, were terrified by the encounter. The youngest daughter now discusses ICE daily; the oldest has experienced nightmares. Fort stated agents could have waited until children left for school and questioned why so many agents were needed to arrest a journalist.
• Journalist Don Lemon arrested by Trump administration after covering anti-ICE protest — Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested on January 30, 2026, by federal agents at a Los Angeles hotel while covering the Grammy Awards. The Trump administration obtained a federal grand jury indictment against Lemon, independent journalist Georgia Fort, and others on charges of conspiracy and interfering with worshippers' constitutional rights during an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a Minnesota church on January 18. A federal magistrate judge had previously refused to sign an arrest warrant for Lemon. On February 8, Lemon spoke publicly about the arrest, characterizing it as an attack on press freedom and warning that democracy becomes "hollow" when the First Amendment is threatened.
• Federal agents arrested journalist Georgia Fort and two protest participants — Federal agents arrested independent journalist Georgia Fort of Minnesota, along with two protest participants, Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the January 18 church protest in St. Paul. All four people arrested in the past 24 hours are Black.
• Don Lemon arrested on federal civil rights charges — Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal authorities and charged with federal civil rights crimes in connection with a protest at a Minnesota church service earlier in January. The Department of Homeland Security stated Lemon was charged with conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshipers. His attorney Abbe Lowell stated Lemon's "constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done" and characterized the arrest as "an unprecedented attack on the first amendment." Career DOJ prosecutors in Minnesota and Louisiana refused to be involved in charging Lemon and other journalists who covered the Minneapolis church protests, believing the evidence does not support the charges.

Supporting reports

• FBI Director Kash Patel launches investigation into Signal group chats used by protesters — FBI Director Kash Patel announced on January 26 that he launched an investigation into Signal group chats used by protesters in Minnesota to share information about federal immigration agents, including their locations and license plate numbers. The move targets legally obtained information and the act of recording law enforcement officials, both protected by the First Amendment.
• FBI director announced investigation of Signal chats of Minneapolis observers — FBI Director Kash Patel told a right-wing podcaster that the FBI will investigate Signal chats of those organized in Minneapolis to observe and record federal agents, to determine if they endangered federal agents. Podcaster Benny Johnson suggested the chats were "coordinated infrastructure" and asked the FBI to "take a crack at trying to get rid of this infrastructure the way they approach the mob or cartels or other terrorist networks."

Supporting reports

• Border Patrol commander claimed federal agents were victims of shooting — U.S. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino appeared on CNN's State of the Union and claimed that the true victims of the previous day's shooting were the federal agents involved, not Alex Pretti. Bovino confirmed that the agents who killed Pretti remain on duty, though reassigned elsewhere.
• FBI director claimed Pretti's weapon proved intent to cause trouble — FBI director Kash Patel appeared on Fox News Channel and claimed that the fact Alex Pretti was carrying a weapon proved he was planning trouble, despite Pretti having a legal permit and carrying the weapon as part of his participation in a community-led first-responder network.
• Border Patrol official claims recording police is violence — Border Patrol leader Greg Bovino was pressed on Sunday morning television about claims that Alex Pretti intended to "massacre law enforcement." When asked directly what evidence supported the accusation, Bovino praised law enforcement for preventing something that video evidence does not show was ever going to happen, and characterized Border Patrol agents as "the victims," implying that recording police constitutes violence justifying lethal response.
• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared on NBC and characterized Pretti's presence at the scene as "not a peaceful protest" and questioned whether he was disarmed. — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared on NBC and stated that Pretti "was not protesting peacefully" because "He was screaming in the face of ICE. He had a phone up right in ICE's face." When asked if video shows an officer removing a gun before shots were fired, Blanche stated "I do not know and nobody else knows either, which is why we're doing an investigation." When pressed on whether Pretti brandished a gun, Blanche deflected: "We don't know what ICE saw." Blanche also reframed the issue, stating "Every American should be bothered. But they should be bothered that ICE is going to arrest a criminal and they have zero support from local law enforcement."
• FBI Director Kash Patel stated on Fox News that people "do not get to attack law enforcement officials in this country without any repercussions" and declined to address whether Pretti brandished a weapon. — FBI Director Kash Patel appeared on Maria Bartiromo's Fox News show and stated "You do not get to attack law enforcement officials in this country without any repercussions. We not messing around." When Bartiromo asked how Pretti was threatening Border Patrol or using a gun to threaten, Patel deferred to DHS, saying "That's something I'll let DHS because they are investigating that case." When asked if Pretti brandished a gun, Patel responded "We don't know what ICE saw," avoiding a direct answer despite video evidence showing Pretti holding a phone.
• FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Governor Walz's rhetoric encouraging people to film ICE agents "is exactly what's leading to violence" and should be "examined thoroughly." — FBI Director Kash Patel was asked to respond to a video of Governor Tim Walz telling people to film ICE agents. Patel stated "I think that type of rhetoric is exactly what's leading to violence - it should be examined thoroughly as to anyone who's involved in inciting this type of violence."
• Pete Hegseth posted support for ICE agents and criticism of Minnesota leadership. — Pete Hegseth posted "Thank God for the patriots of ICE - we have your back 100%. You are SAVING the country. Shame on the leadership of Minnesota - and the lunatics in the street. ICE > MN."
• President Trump posted a statement mischaracterizing Pretti's actions and calling for local police to be removed from ICE operations. — President Trump posted on social media hours after the shooting, stating Pretti had a "loaded" gun "with two additional full magazines" and asking "Where are the local Police? Why weren't they allowed to protect ICE Officers?" Trump claimed the Mayor and Governor "called them off" and asserted that "many of these Police were not allowed to do their job." He concluded by urging "LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB!" The post echoed false DHS characterizations and contradicted video evidence showing Pretti holding a phone, not a gun.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Pretti "brought a semiautomatic weapon to what was supposed to be a peaceful protest" despite no evidence of brandishing. — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on ABC and stated "I'm sorry he is dead, but he did bring a semiautomatic weapon to what was supposed to be a peaceful protest." When the host noted there is no evidence Pretti brandished the gun, Bessent responded "But he brought a gun!" The host countered "We do have a second amendment in this country," highlighting the constitutional right to carry a lawfully permitted firearm.
• Vice President JD Vance posted that the ICE situation in Minneapolis is the result of "far left agitators, working with local authorities" and blamed local leadership for refusing to cooperate with ICE. — Vice President JD Vance posted on social media that "This level of engineered chaos is unique to Minneapolis. It is the direct consequence of far left agitators, working with local authorities." He also stated "When I visited Minnesota, what the ICE agents wanted more than anything was to work with local law enforcement so that situations on the ground didn't get out of hand. The local leadership in MN has so far refused to answer those requests." Vance retweeted a post from Stephen Miller characterizing Pretti as "An assassin tried to murder federal agents."
• Kash Patel declares firearms prohibited at protests — White House official Kash Patel declared on a Sunday morning show that individuals cannot bring loaded firearms with multiple magazines to any protest, effectively redefining the scope of First and Second Amendment protections. He simultaneously claimed the administration protects First Amendment speech while redefining peaceful protest to exclude those who record law enforcement or stand near demonstrations.
• Rep. Scalise redefines lawful firearm possession as crime at protests — Republican Rep. Steve Scalise appeared on a Sunday morning show and attempted to reconcile support for concealed carry with a claim that no one may carry a firearm while committing another crime. He implied that Alex Pretti, who was lawfully armed and filming law enforcement at a protest, had committed a crime, despite video evidence showing no criminal conduct and Minnesota authorities confirming lawful carry.
• Republican Senator Mike Lee called for the National Guard to be sent to Minneapolis. — Republican Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) posted "Send in the National Guard" in response to the Pretti shooting and the broader ICE operations in Minneapolis.
• Secretary Noem misrepresents Minnesota law on concealed carry at protests — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem appeared on a Sunday morning show and misstated Minnesota concealed carry law, implying that permit holders should leave firearms behind if they intend to protest. When confronted with evidence that Alex Pretti was legally permitted to carry, she defaulted to claims about impeding law enforcement operations and consequences, without addressing the lawfulness of his conduct.
• Treasury Secretary Bessent defends use of lethal force against armed protester — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on a Sunday morning television show and defended the killing of Alex Pretti, a legally armed protester in Minneapolis, by stating that Pretti's lawful possession of a loaded nine-millimeter semi-automatic weapon with two cartridges at a protest justified the use of force. Bessent characterized protesters as "paid agitators" and blamed state leaders while ignoring that lawful concealed carry is constitutionally protected.

Supporting reports

• About 100 clergy members arrested during ICE protest at Minneapolis-St Paul airport — Approximately 100 clergy members were arrested by police during a protest at Minneapolis-St Paul airport on the morning of January 24, 2026. The clergy had gathered in sub-zero temperatures to call for an end to ICE operations in Minnesota and to urge airline companies to oppose ICE in the state. Video footage documented the arrests during the peaceful religious assembly.
• Minnesota clergy members arrested during airport demonstration as part of statewide economic blackout. — Approximately 100 clergy members were arrested during a demonstration at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport on Friday as part of Minnesota's coordinated economic blackout. The action was part of a broader statewide civic mobilization that included an estimated 50,000 people marching across Minneapolis, more than 10,000 gathering indoors at the Target Center, and hundreds of businesses closing in solidarity. The clergy demonstration represented organized religious resistance to what participants characterized as illegitimate federal force.
• Minnesota economic blackout and clergy protest against federal enforcement actions — An estimated 50,000 people participated in a statewide economic blackout in Minnesota on January 24, 2026, with hundreds of businesses closing in solidarity. Over 100 clergy members were arrested at an airport during the action. The protest was organized as nonviolent resistance against what participants characterized as illegitimate federal force, occurring in -20°F weather with 10,000+ people packed into Target Center.

Supporting reports

• U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez imposed restrictions on ICE's tactics in response to protesters' lawsuits, but the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals quickly stayed her decision at the Trump administration's request. — U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez, overseeing lawsuits by protesters contesting illegal arrests and retaliation by ICE officers, imposed restrictions on ICE's ability to use pepper spray and other munitions against demonstrators. However, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals quickly granted a Trump administration request to stay her decision, a move that led to public celebration from top DOJ and DHS officials. Attorneys for protesters subsequently urged the federal appeals court to reinstate the restrictions, arguing that expected further protests in response to Pretti's death create "an urgent need for intervention."
• Federal appeals court allows tear gas and pepper spray against Minnesota protesters — A federal appeals court decision paved the way for federal officers to continue using tear gas and pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minnesota. Following the ruling, a senior U.S. Border Patrol official, Greg Bovino, used tear gas against protesters in Minneapolis.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Tincher v. Noem (D. Minn.) 0:25-cv-04669 — The Eighth Circuit stayed the lower court's preliminary injunction restricting ICE officers' actions during protests and denied Plaintiffs' emergency motion to lift the administrative stay, finding that the injunction was overbroad and vague. The panel granted Plaintiffs' request for expedited merits briefing.

Supporting reports

• Fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis — Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was shot and killed on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. According to witness accounts, Pretti was shot after rushing to protect a woman who was being pepper-sprayed by Border Patrol agents. Video evidence shows a federal officer retrieving Pretti's firearm while another officer drew his weapon before the fatal shooting occurred.
• Federal agents shoot and kill Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during immigration enforcement operation — Federal immigration agents under the Trump administration shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis on January 24 during an enforcement operation. The killing was the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis within weeks and intensified public anger over the administration's immigration enforcement tactics and the use of lethal force.
• Federal agents shoot and kill VA nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials shot and killed Alex Pretti, a VA nurse, in Minneapolis. Trump administration officials, including Stephen Miller and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, subsequently labeled Pretti a "domestic terrorist." VA Secretary Collins blamed the death on state and local officials' "refusal to cooperate with the federal government." The killing followed another shooting of a U.S. citizen, Renee Nicole Good, by an ICE official in Minneapolis earlier that month.
• Border Patrol agents fatally shoot ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — Border Patrol agents fired at least 10 shots at 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24, killing him. Pretti had been recording the agents with his phone after they pepper-sprayed and tackled him to the ground. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller falsely labeled Pretti a "domestic terrorist" and claimed he was holding a gun and attempting to assassinate law enforcement. A Trump-appointed federal judge issued a late-night order directing the administration not to destroy or alter evidence in the case.
• Federal agents killed Alex Pretti, 37-year-old ICU nurse, during immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA, on a Minneapolis street during an immigration enforcement operation. Video evidence from ABC News shows Pretti recording federal agents with his phone before being pepper-sprayed, pushed into the street, and shot approximately 10 times in under five seconds. A doctor's affidavit cited by ABC describes multiple gunshot wounds including at least three in Pretti's back. An officer was heard saying "I got the gun" after the shooting. The incident occurred the morning after Minnesota's Friday economic blackout protest. Pretti's family disputes official accounts, describing them as "sickening lies."
• Federal agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti in Minneapolis — Federal agents, identified as ICE/Border Patrol officers, tackled, pepper-sprayed, and shot Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, on a Minneapolis street. Video evidence shows Pretti holding a phone, not a gun, and attempting to help another person who had been pushed down by agents. After agents removed a gun from Pretti's waistband, they shot him multiple times, killing him. Federal agents then blocked state investigators, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, from accessing the scene despite a search warrant.
• Fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse by federal ICE agents during immigration operation — Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis nurse and U.S. citizen, was killed by federal agents on Saturday, January 25, 2026, while apparently filming an immigration enforcement operation. Videos verified by The Guardian contradict portions of the Department of Homeland Security's account of the incident. This marks the third shooting involving federal agents in January 2026 and prompted state and city lawyers to urge the court to halt Operation Metro Surge before additional deaths occur.
• Federal agent fatally shoots civilian Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — A 37-year-old nurse, Alex Pretti, was shot and killed by a federal Customs and Border Protection agent during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Democratic lawmakers, including Ilhan Omar, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris, condemned the shooting as an execution and called for accountability. Republicans, led by President Trump and Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, blamed Democratic officials for creating a lawless environment that prevented local police cooperation with federal agents.
• Federal agents fatally shoot 37-year-old US citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen and Virginia nurse, at approximately 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2026, in the Eat Street area of Minneapolis. The killing occurred in front of witnesses who videotaped the incident. It is the second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, following the January 7 death of Renee Good. Federal agents subsequently deployed chemical irritants to disperse crowds and made arrests at the scene. Governor Tim Walz stated the killing contradicted calls for peace.
• Federal agents fatally shoot 37-year-old US citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during immigration enforcement operation — Federal law enforcement officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, a Minneapolis nurse and US citizen with no criminal record and a valid firearm permit, during a protest against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement. Video evidence shows Pretti holding a phone and attempting to shield a woman being pepper-sprayed; federal officials falsely claimed he was armed with a 9mm handgun and posed a threat to officers. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino contradicted video evidence in their public statements. A Minnesota judge ordered preservation of evidence after state officials alleged DHS was blocking local investigation access.
• Federal agents fatally shoot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis; nationwide protests erupt — Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse and US citizen employed at Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot dead by federal agents during an encounter in Minneapolis. Video evidence shows Pretti being wrestled to the ground and sprayed with chemical agents before being shot multiple times. The DHS and Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Pretti "approached" officers with a 9mm handgun, contradicting available video footage. Large protests spread across US cities including Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Providence, Los Angeles, and Washington DC on the following day, with demonstrators calling for ICE abolishment and justice.
• Federal agents kill Minneapolis VA nurse Alex Pretti during ICE enforcement action — Alex Pretti, 37, a registered nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot and killed by federal agents on Saturday during an immigration enforcement operation. Video evidence shows Pretti holding a phone, with an empty raised hand, appearing to defend a legal observer being pushed down by officers. Multiple agents surrounded him on the ground before firing multiple shots at close range. His family disputes the administration's account that he threatened officers with a gun. Police confirmed his only prior law enforcement contact was for traffic tickets and that he was a lawful gun owner.
• Federal agents shoot and kill Alex Pretti, a nurse, during ICE enforcement operation in Minneapolis — Alex Pretti, a healthcare worker, was fatally shot by federal agents during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis on or around January 25, 2026. The shooting occurred amid weeks of intensified federal immigration enforcement in the area. Following the killing, federal agents deployed teargas and projectiles against demonstrators and bystanders who gathered at the scene, injuring multiple people including children and community members seeking to help the injured.
• Federal immigration agents fatally shoot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — On January 25, 2026, federal immigration officers shot and killed 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during an enforcement operation. Video evidence shows agents removed Pretti's legally carried handgun before shooting him. The incident sparked immediate calls for investigation from former presidents Obama and Clinton, Democratic lawmakers, and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy. A federal judge issued an order blocking destruction of evidence. The Trump administration disputed the narrative, with officials claiming Pretti interfered with a lawful arrest, while video evidence contradicted claims he brandished a weapon.
• ICE agents shoot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis; White House falsely brands him "domestic terrorist" — Federal border patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, in Minneapolis on January 25, 2026. White House officials immediately claimed Pretti was a "would-be assassin" and "domestic terrorist" brandishing a gun. Multiple witness videos emerged showing Pretti held only a phone when agents pushed him to the ground, and that his gun was removed seconds before he was shot in the back while restrained. Facing public and bipartisan backlash, Trump distanced himself from the narrative and shuffled immigration leadership.
• Federal agents shot and killed VA nurse Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis — Federal Border Patrol and ICE agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a nurse without a criminal record, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 25, 2026. Multiple videos contradicted official DHS claims that Pretti intended to conduct a "massacre" or cause "maximum damage." Internal DHS sources told Fox reporter Bill Melugin that the shooting was likely a "bad shoot" involving an accidental discharge after agents heard "gun," and that DHS messaging about the incident was catastrophic for morale and credibility. The incident triggered congressional scrutiny, a government funding crisis, and a political backlash against the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.
• Federal agents killed Alex Pretti, an ICE nurse, during Minneapolis street encounter — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, an ICE nurse at Minneapolis VA, on a Minneapolis street during a period of civil unrest. Video evidence shows Pretti standing with phone raised, recording, when officers pepper-sprayed and pulled him into the street. A doctor's affidavit describes at least three gunshot wounds in his back, with multiple shots fired in under five seconds. His family disputes the official account. The incident occurred one day after a statewide economic blackout and clergy-led protest involving an estimated 50,000 people.
• Border Patrol shoots and kills Alex Pretti, ICU nurse, during Minnesota immigration enforcement operation — US Border Patrol officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota on January 25, 2026. Video evidence showed Pretti was unarmed at the moment of the shooting, contradicting federal claims that he posed a direct threat. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino claimed Pretti had threatened a "massacre" before being disarmed, but state investigators were blocked from the scene. The incident sparked public outcry and calls for investigation into federal enforcement tactics.
• Federal agents shoot and kill Alex Pretti during Minneapolis protest — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, 37, a registered nurse at Minneapolis VA Health Care System, during a protest in south Minneapolis on Saturday. Video evidence shows Pretti being tackled by multiple agents after appearing to defend a shoved observer; an agent sprayed him with chemical agent before officers fired multiple shots at close range. DHS characterized the shooting as "defensive" and described protesters as "rioters." Pretti had no prior law enforcement contact except traffic tickets and was a lawful gun permit holder.
• Federal agents killed Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, in Minneapolis — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a VA hospital ICU nurse, in Minneapolis on Saturday morning. Pretti had stopped his car to observe agents chasing a family on foot, shouted, and blew a whistle. About a week prior, five agents had tackled him, breaking a rib, after he intervened in a similar incident. The killing triggered widespread public outcry and shifted the political calculus around federal funding bills in Congress.
• Federal agents killed VA ICE nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — Federal immigration enforcement agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a VA hospital ICE nurse, in Minneapolis on January 25, 2026. Pretti was carrying a legally permitted firearm while participating in community-led first-responder activities. Administration officials, including Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino and FBI director Kash Patel, claimed the killing was justified and that Pretti posed a threat. However, the Minnesota Department of Corrections launched a website to counter DHS claims, stating that Bovino had misrepresented the target of the operation and that the individual identified had no significant criminal history in Minnesota.
• Minneapolis Police Chief criticized federal enforcement operations — Federal agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, in Minneapolis while he was directing traffic and attempting to assist another individual. Video evidence shows agents using pepper spray on Pretti before tackling him to the ground and shooting him multiple times. Following the incident, federal agents blocked state investigators from accessing the scene, prompting Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to file a lawsuit for a temporary restraining order to prevent the destruction of evidence. A judge granted the order, barring the alteration or destruction of evidence related to the shooting.
• Minnesota National Guard distributed supplies to anti-ICE protesters — Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara told CBS's Face the Nation that the city had experienced three federal shootings in less than three weeks, contrasting this with the Minneapolis Police Department's recovery of 900 guns and arrest of hundreds of violent offenders in the previous year without shooting anyone. O'Hara stated that the federal operations are unsustainable and are straining the city's police department, which has only 600 officers.
• Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation. — The Minnesota National Guard, wearing neon vests to distinguish themselves from federal agents, distributed doughnuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters, signaling their alignment with community opposition to federal immigration enforcement operations.
• ICE and Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — On January 25, 2026, Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse at a VA hospital in Minneapolis. Video evidence shows Pretti was filming police with his phone when agents initiated contact. He was not holding or brandishing his firearm; agents disarmed him while he was on the ground. After disarmament, agents fired 10 shots total—4 initially (3 to the back) and 6 additional shots while Pretti lay motionless. Pretti was a U.S. citizen born in Illinois with no criminal record, a valid concealed carry permit, and had participated in protests against ICE operations. A nearby physician found agents counting bullet wounds rather than performing CPR. The incident occurred during a broader ICE surge in Minneapolis that has generated widespread controversy and calls for investigation.
• Federal officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, during ICE Minneapolis operation — Federal ICE and Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an ICU nurse, in Minneapolis over the weekend. Initial regime narratives claimed Pretti was a domestic terrorist who approached agents with a firearm and reacted violently. Video evidence contradicted this account, showing Pretti was legally carrying a permitted firearm, not brandishing it, and was attempting to render aid to a woman pepper-sprayed by federal agents. After agents removed his gun and beat him, he was shot at point-blank range with at least 10 shots while helpless on the ground.
• ICE agent fatally shoots Alex Pretti in Minneapolis — On Saturday morning in Minneapolis, federal ICE officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, during a large-scale immigration enforcement crackdown. Video evidence showed Pretti was holding a phone, not a weapon, while attempting to assist another person who had been pepper-sprayed. Officers pushed him to the ground, beat him, and shot him multiple times at close range. Pretti was licensed to carry a firearm but there is no indication he was holding or threatening officers with one. The incident represents one of several violent and fatal incidents during the ICE Minneapolis operation.
• DHS report on Alex Pretti shooting released; two CBP agents discharged firearms — On January 26, 2026, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was killed by federal officers during the "Operation Metro Surge" enforcement action in Minneapolis. The shooting prompted a response from major Minnesota corporations, who released a joint letter on January 25 calling for "deescalation" but offering no specific policy demands or explicit condemnation of the killings.
• Federal immigration agents fatally shoot Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti during enforcement operation — The Department of Homeland Security released an initial investigation report to Congress indicating that two Customs and Border Protection officers discharged their firearms at Alex Pretti during a fatal shooting in Minneapolis on January 27. The report states that during an attempted custody operation, Pretti resisted and a struggle ensued, after which a border patrol agent and a CBP officer each fired their service weapons. The report confirms video evidence of Pretti assisting a woman confronted by agents and notes that a firearm was recovered from Pretti's possession.
• ICE agents attack US citizen Maria during immigration enforcement operation in Salem, Oregon — On an unspecified date in January 2026, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at Minneapolis VA Medical Center, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Pretti was filming the agents when he was tackled, disarmed, and fatally shot. Trump administration officials falsely claimed Pretti "brandished" a gun and labeled him a "would-be assassin," but bystander video evidence shows Pretti holding only a phone and having been disarmed before shots were fired. The shooting represents the second fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis that month.
• — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pulled a US citizen named Maria from her vehicle in Salem, Oregon, after boxing in her car and smashing the window. Agents threw her to the ground and left her without medical care until discovering her US passport. Maria, a homecare worker and SEIU Local 503 member, sustained a concussion and bruised ribs. The incident prompted unions to raise nearly $20,000 for her support and sparked broader labor movement response to ICE enforcement surge.

Supporting reports

• Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals lifts injunction blocking ICE pepper-spray and arrest of peaceful protesters in Minnesota — The Eighth US Circuit Court of Appeals granted the Trump administration's request for an administrative stay of a preliminary injunction issued by Judge Katherine Menendez on January 17, 2026. Menendez had prohibited ICE agents from pepper-spraying, arresting, or detaining peaceful protesters, and from stopping or detaining drivers without reasonable cause, ruling that ICE's actions had a "chilling effect" on First Amendment rights. The appeals court's temporary lifting of these restrictions came as Vice President JD Vance prepared to visit Minneapolis.
• Federal appeals court allows continued use of tear gas and pepper spray against protesters — A federal appeals court decision paved the way for federal officers to continue using tear gas and pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minnesota. Following the ruling, a senior U.S. Border Patrol official threw tear gas at protesters in Minneapolis.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Tincher v. Noem (D. Minn.) 0:25-cv-04669 — The Eighth Circuit issued an administrative stay of Judge Menendez's preliminary injunction, temporarily lifting the restrictions on ICE's use of force against protesters.

Supporting reports

• Attorney General Bondi announced arrests of church protest organizers — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong, whom she characterized as having "allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul." Bondi later announced a second arrest of Chauntyll Louisa Allen. Bondi stated the arrests were made "at my direction" and emphasized that the administration does not tolerate "attacks on places of worship."
• DOJ filed criminal complaints against church protest participants — The Department of Justice filed criminal complaints against seven protesters who entered St. Paul's Cities Church in Minnesota and interrupted a service. Arrests were made throughout the day. The DOJ also attempted to charge journalist Don Lemon, but a federal magistrate judge refused to sign the complaint, requiring the DOJ to pursue a grand jury indictment if it wishes to proceed against Lemon.
• Three arrested for anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church — Three people—Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly—were arrested on Thursday in connection with a protest at Cities church in St Paul, Minnesota on Sunday. Demonstrators had alleged that pastor David Easterwood was the acting field director of the St Paul ICE office. Armstrong was charged under a statute criminalizing conspiracy to block someone from exercising civil rights. The White House and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem celebrated the arrest on social media.

Supporting reports

• White House posted AI-altered image of arrested protester — The White House posted an image of arrested protester Nekima Levy-Armstrong on social media following her arrest. The image was altered using artificial intelligence to show her crying hysterically, whereas the original photograph from the scene showed her appearing defiant. The discrepancy was quickly noticed by observers.
• White House posted AI-generated images of arrested Minneapolis protesters — The White House posted what appear to be AI-generated images connected to ongoing arrests of protesters in Minneapolis, including an AI-altered image depicting a protest organizer with tears streaming down her face. The original image shows no such thing. This represents a deeply unethical abuse of federal government power, effectively manufacturing visual narratives to intimidate, discredit, or prejudice individuals before they have had their day in court.
• White House posts digitally altered image of arrested activist on social media — The White House posted a digitally altered photograph of activist Nekima Levy Armstrong on social media, manipulating the image to falsely portray her as crying and darkening her skin. The caption falsely described her as an "arrested far-left agitator" who "orchestrated church riots." The deception was uncovered by the Guardian and other news outlets after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had posted the original, unaltered image showing Armstrong composed and dignified.
• White House posts digitally altered image of arrested protester — The White House posted a digitally altered photograph of Nekima Levy Armstrong, arrested during an ICE protest disruption in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 23, 2026. The altered image depicted her crying, whereas the original showed her composed. Guardian analysis confirmed the images were identical except for digital manipulation of her facial expression and apparent skin tone. The White House did not deny the alteration when questioned, instead responding with a statement defending law enforcement.
• White House posts doctored photo of arrested Minneapolis activist — The White House posted a digitally altered photograph of Nekima Levy Armstrong, a Black woman arrested during a protest at a Minneapolis church on January 23, 2026. The image darkened her skin tone and added tears to her face. Armstrong is one of three people arrested in connection with the disruptive protest. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had posted unaltered images of the other two defendants, but only Armstrong's image was manipulated by the White House. Legal experts say the act may be raised in court but is unlikely to derail the case entirely.

Supporting reports

• Kristi Noem denies then backtracks on ICE pepper spray use — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem initially denied on CBS's Face the Nation that federal agents used chemical agents against protesters, then reversed course after being shown video evidence of pepper spray deployment on four separate occasions. She subsequently claimed her department "only use those chemical agents when there's violence happening" to maintain order and public safety, contradicting the federal judge's finding that agents targeted peaceful demonstrators.

Supporting reports

• ICE agents arrest and pepper-spray peaceful protesters in Minnesota — Federal ICE agents arrested and pepper-sprayed peaceful protesters in Minnesota on January 17, 2026, prompting Judge Katherine Menendez to issue a preliminary injunction prohibiting such tactics. The enforcement actions followed the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman, by a federal agent, which sparked large-scale protests statewide and nationally. DHS defended the tactics as constitutional measures to uphold law and order, while state officials condemned the deployment as an unconstitutional "federal invasion" and retaliatory campaign.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge orders ICE to cease pepper spray use against Minneapolis protesters — U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez issued an order on Friday directing federal law enforcement to stop using pepper spray against peaceful protesters in Minneapolis. The judge found that ICE agents had deployed "chemical irritants" against demonstrators exercising "protected first amendment rights to assemble and to observe and protest ICE operations." The ruling came amid escalating tensions surrounding Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration's intensive immigration enforcement operation in the city.

Supporting reports

• ICE agents deploy flash-bang grenades and chemical gas at Minneapolis protesters — ICE agents threw flash-bang grenades at peaceful protesters and launched chemical gas into residential neighborhoods in Minneapolis. The incidents were documented by MeidasTouch and Status Coup journalists on the ground. The use of military-grade munitions against civilians in residential areas constitutes state violence.
• Federal agents deploy teargas and flash bangs against Minneapolis protesters; eight arrested — Federal immigration agents used teargas, pepper balls, and flash bangs against crowds protesting outside a federal building in Minneapolis on Tuesday. Eight people were arrested. The deployment occurred amid a massive federal immigration enforcement operation involving 800 CBP agents and 2,000 ICE officials in the Minneapolis area. Trump administration officials, including Stephen Miller, issued public threats that state and local officials who obstruct ICE operations face criminal prosecution. The operation followed the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent.
• Federal agent shoots and wounds man in Minneapolis during ICE enforcement — A federal agent shot and wounded a man in Minneapolis during ICE enforcement operations, triggering clashes between federal agents deploying tear gas and flash-bang grenades and approximately 200 protesters throwing snowballs and firecrackers. A Minneapolis police supervisor told protesters he did not know what had occurred between the agent and the victim, stating the agents were not communicating with local law enforcement. A family with six children in a van was struck by tear gas and flash-bang grenades; three children, including a six-month-old infant, were hospitalized.
• Federal ICE agents deploy crowd control weapons against protesters in Minneapolis — Federal immigration officers used smoke, pepper balls, tear gas, and other crowd control weapons against several hundred protesters who gathered at the shooting scene in north Minneapolis on Wednesday night. Police Chief Brian O'Hara characterized the protesters as "engaging in unlawful behavior" and urged them to disperse. Mayor Jacob Frey condemned ICE conduct as "disgusting and intolerable" but also urged protesters to leave, warning against "chaos." The deployment of aggressive crowd control tactics against civilians exercising protest rights occurred in the context of heightened tensions following the killing of Renee Nicole Good.
• Federal law enforcement deploys teargas against protesters in Minneapolis — Federal law enforcement officers deployed teargas against protesters gathered at the Bishop Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis on January 15, 2026, to disperse crowds opposing the ICE enforcement operation. The use of chemical weapons against civilians exercising First Amendment rights occurred during the escalated immigration enforcement campaign.

Supporting reports

• DHS deploys hundreds more federal agents to Minneapolis following Renee Good shooting — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the deployment of "hundreds more" federal agents to Minneapolis as part of what DHS described as its largest enforcement operation to date, following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, by an ICE officer on Wednesday. The escalation occurred amid widespread protests across the US. Door-to-door raids began Sunday with heavily armed agents; some protesters were hit with chemical spray. Over 2,000 immigration arrests have been made in Minnesota since the operation began in early December.
• Federal agents deploy teargas and flash bangs against Minneapolis protesters; eight arrested — Federal immigration agents used teargas, pepper balls, and flash bangs against crowds protesting outside a federal building in Minneapolis on Tuesday. Eight people were arrested. The deployment occurred amid a massive federal immigration enforcement operation involving 800 CBP agents and 2,000 ICE officials in the Minneapolis area. Trump administration officials, including Stephen Miller, issued public threats that state and local officials who obstruct ICE operations face criminal prosecution. The operation followed the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent.

Supporting reports

• Minneapolis police arrest 29 protesters for property damage during "ICE Out For Good" demonstrations — Minneapolis police arrested approximately 29 people on Friday night, January 10, 2026, following property damage by some demonstrators during "ICE Out For Good" protests. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey emphasized that the primary demonstrations remained nonviolent and that the arrests represented a small fraction of overall participation. Portland saw six additional arrests following a separate Border Patrol incident.
• Portland police arrest six protesters following Border Patrol incident — Portland police arrested six people following a separate Border Patrol incident during the "ICE Out For Good Weekend of Action" on January 10–11, 2026. The arrests occurred in the context of nationwide protests against ICE and federal immigration enforcement.
• Minnesota arrests of protesters for property damage — On Saturday, January 11, 2026, Minnesota elected officials announced that 30 protesters had been arrested on Friday night, January 10, over alleged "property damage" during demonstrations. The arrests occurred amid heightened tensions between authorities and protesters following Renee Good's killing.

Supporting reports

• Portland police arrest six protesters following Border Patrol incident — Portland police arrested six people following a separate Border Patrol incident during the "ICE Out For Good Weekend of Action" on January 10–11, 2026. The arrests occurred in the context of nationwide protests against ICE and federal immigration enforcement.
• Luis David Nino-Moncada pleads not guilty to assault charges after border patrol shooting in Portland — Luis David Nino-Moncada, shot and wounded by a border patrol agent during an immigration enforcement stop in Portland, was indicted on Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday to charges of aggravated assault against a federal officer and damaging federal property. The DHS alleges he used his vehicle as a weapon; Nino-Moncada denies the charges. A passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, was also shot and subsequently detained by ICE. Federal investigators report no surveillance or video footage exists of the incident.
• DHS makes unsubstantiated claims of massive increases in assaults and threats against immigration officers — The Department of Homeland Security claimed in a press release that immigration enforcement agents face a "1,300% increase in assaults," a "3,200% increase in vehicular attacks," and an "8,000% increase in death threats." The agency provided no evidence to support these claims. Court records reviewed by the Los Angeles Times showed agents left most alleged attacks uninjured, and immigration officers made false and misleading statements about protesters in Los Angeles.

Supporting reports

• Philadelphia Police Commissioner clarifies jurisdictional separation from Sheriff's Department — Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J Bethel issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on January 9 clarifying that the Philadelphia Police Department is the city's primary law enforcement agency, separate from the Sheriff's Department. The statement outlined the Police Department's responsibilities for patrol, investigations, emergency response, and law enforcement, and noted that Bethel serves by mayoral appointment within the city's executive structure.
• Portland mayor and city officials call for ICE operations pause — Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Democratic Representative Maxine Dexter publicly called for ICE to pause all operations in the city pending a full investigation into the shooting. Wilson stated that "constitutional protections erode and bloodshed mounts" and that Portland is not a "training ground" for militarized agents. Dexter, a physician, demanded a comprehensive local police investigation without Trump administration interference. Oregon State Senator Kayse Jama also called for federal agents to leave the community.
• Portland police arrest six protesters outside ICE facility — Police used force to clear protesters from the street outside the ICE facility in south Portland on the evening of January 9, 2026, arresting six people, including a young man known for wearing an inflatable frog costume to protests. About one hundred protesters had gathered outside city hall chanting "Abolish ICE," and a smaller group returned to the ICE facility, many in animal costumes used to defuse tensions in recent months.
• Six protesters arrested in Portland after ICE shooting — Portland police arrested six protesters late Thursday evening outside an ICE facility following the shooting of two undocumented immigrants. Protesters had gathered to demonstrate against ICE operations, with some wearing animal costumes. Police used force to clear protesters from the street. Local leaders, including Mayor Keith Wilson and Representative Maxine Dexter, had appealed for calm and peaceful protest, which largely held despite the shooting and growing outrage over federal immigration enforcement.

Supporting reports

• ICE agent shoots anti-ICE protester with non-lethal ammunition, causing permanent blindness — On January 9, 2026, a 21-year-old anti-ICE protester was permanently blinded after being shot at close range with non-lethal ammunition by ICE agents. According to the protester's aunt, agents allegedly mocked him after the shooting. The incident occurred during ICE enforcement operations and anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis and other cities.

Supporting reports

• HSI deploys 2,000 agents to Minneapolis–St Paul for door-to-door immigration enforcement operations — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) surged approximately 2,000 federal agents into the Minneapolis–St Paul area in early January 2026 to conduct door-to-door investigations at workplaces and residences suspected of employing undocumented immigrants or involvement in human smuggling and document forgery. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons confirmed agents are "going door to door." Local residents and reporters documented officers in tactical gear, armed with long guns, demanding identification, detaining people for hours, and ransacking homes and offices. Community members characterized the operation as mass intimidation rather than targeted law enforcement.
• Trump administration deploys 2,000 ICE and DHS agents to Minnesota for immigration enforcement surge — The Trump administration deployed approximately 2,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Department of Homeland Security agents to Minnesota as part of "Operation Metro Surge," described by ICE as the agency's "largest operation to date." The surge targets immigrant populations, with agents conducting door-to-door operations at companies suspected of hiring undocumented workers and investigating fraud cases. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was present in Minneapolis. The operation has prompted community resistance, with immigrants avoiding public spaces and some residents impeding deportations.
• Trump administration surged 2,000 federal agents to Minneapolis for largest immigration enforcement operation — On January 6, 2026, after the Supreme Court had cut off the administration's ability to federalize National Guard soldiers and deploy them to Democratic-led cities, the Trump administration surged 2,000 federal agents to Minneapolis in what was described as the largest federal immigration enforcement operation ever launched.
• Trump administration deploys 2,000 additional ICE agents to Minneapolis targeting Somali residents — The Trump administration deployed 2,000 additional federal immigration agents to Minneapolis in response to social services fraud cases involving some Somali residents. The surge followed Trump's derogatory comments calling Somali residents "garbage" and rightwing media focus on fraud cases. The deployment represents an escalation of ICE presence that began in early December with hundreds of additional officers. Agents are conducting door-to-door operations at businesses, stopping vehicles in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods, and expanding into suburbs and smaller towns. ICE stated the surge is expected to last 30 days.

Supporting reports

• HSI deploys 2,000 federal agents to Minneapolis–St. Paul area for enforcement surge — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) deployed approximately 2,000 federal agents to the Minneapolis–St. Paul area in early January 2026. The stated focus includes investigations into fraud, human smuggling and trafficking networks, and unlawful employment, including door-to-door visits to companies. Local reporting and community accounts describe enforcement activity that extends beyond the official scope, including residential door knocks, intimidation, and widespread fear in immigrant communities.

Supporting reports

• DHS launched "Operation Puppet Master" to surveil leftwing groups and anti-ICE protesters — The Department of Homeland Security conducted extensive surveillance of progressive organizations and anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis and New York City in early 2026. Internal DHS reports, disclosed in a criminal case against 15 Minneapolis protesters, reveal the agency sent undercover agents to community meetings, infiltrated encrypted Signal chats, obtained financial records of unions and nonprofits including AFL-CIO and SEIU, and made audio recordings of activist gatherings. The operation, titled "Operation Puppet Master," targeted groups opposing the Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Supporting reports

• Republican lawmakers in Indiana faced swatting attacks after Trump pressure — NBC News reported that at least 11 Republican lawmakers in Indiana have faced swatting attacks and other threats since Trump's November 16 Truth Social post pressuring state legislators to approve a new congressional map that would benefit Republicans. The attacks followed Trump's direct intervention in state legislative matters.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice announces settlement with Northwestern University on civil rights compliance — The Department of Justice, Department of Education, and Department of Health and Human Services announced a settlement with Northwestern University requiring the institution to pay $75 million through 2028 and comply with federal anti-discrimination laws. The agreement mandates Northwestern eliminate race-based admissions preferences, maintain policies on campus demonstrations and protests, implement mandatory antisemitism training for all students, faculty, and staff, and have university leadership certify quarterly compliance under penalty of perjury. Pending federal investigations will be closed and the university will remain eligible for federal grants and contracts.
• White House finalizes deal with Northwestern University — The New York Times reported that the White House is finalizing a deal with Northwestern University in which the school would pay a $75 million fine in exchange for the Trump administration restoring hundreds of millions in federal funds and closing a federal investigation into the university.
• Trump administration reached settlement with Northwestern University on federal funding — The Trump administration reached an agreement with Northwestern University to restore more than $790 million in federal research funding and end an investigation into alleged discrimination against Jewish students. As part of the settlement, the university will pay $75 million to the federal government, develop training materials to "socialize international students," overhaul campus demonstration policies, and comply with federal anti-discrimination laws.

Supporting reports

• "We Ain't Buying It" campaign announces five-day consumer boycott of Amazon, Target, and Home Depot — The "We Ain't Buying It" campaign announced a coordinated five-day consumer blackout targeting November 27–December 1, 2025 (Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday), focusing on three headline retailers: Amazon, Target, and Home Depot. The campaign frames these companies as having enabled Trump-era policies by rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and/or cooperating with immigration enforcement. The campaign provides a pledge mechanism and identifies additional companies under boycott, including Walmart, Spotify, Meta, McDonald's, Ford, Tractor Supply, John Deere, Harley-Davidson, Toyota, Molson Coors, Boeing, and Google/Alphabet, all cited as having rolled back DEI commitments or aligned financially with Trump's second term.
• We Ain't Buying It campaign organized boycott of Amazon, Target, and Home Depot from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday — A coalition of over 220 organizations, including Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom, organized the "We Ain't Buying It" campaign asking consumers to boycott Amazon, Target, and Home Depot during the Black Friday shopping period and redirect spending toward small and local businesses. The campaign framed consumer spending as a form of economic citizenship and democratic action, with participants pledging to align purchases with values rather than corporate defaults.
• Consumer boycott campaign "We Ain't Buying It" launched — A coalition of over 220 organizations, including Black Voters Matter, Indivisible, and Until Freedom, organized the "We Ain't Buying It" campaign asking consumers to boycott Amazon, Target, and Home Depot during the Black Friday shopping period and redirect spending toward small and local businesses. The campaign framed consumer spending as a form of economic citizenship and democratic action, with participants pledging to align purchasing decisions with values rather than corporate defaults.
• Campaign launched to leverage consumer power against Trump administration — Reformers launched a consumer boycott campaign called "We Ain't Buying It" beginning the day after Thanksgiving 2025, targeting retailers and businesses that have eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, cooperated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, or opposed voting rights and immigrant protections. The campaign explicitly called on consumers to redirect spending to businesses respecting diversity, immigrant rights, and democratic freedoms.
• — A campaign called "We Ain't Buying It" was launched to encourage consumers to use their purchasing power to oppose the policies of the Trump administration. The campaign emphasizes community building and demands respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion from businesses.

Supporting reports

• Nearly 100 protesters conducted coordinated ice-scraper buy-and-return action at Home Depot in Monrovia, California — On an unspecified date in the week prior to November 25, 2025, approximately 100 people organized by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) entered a Home Depot in Monrovia, California, and purchased seventeen-cent ice scrapers, then returned them in sequence through self-checkout and customer service. Participants wore orange aprons and stickers reading "ICE out of Home Depot." The action was organized in response to the August 2025 death of Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez, a 52-year-old Guatemalan day laborer who was struck and killed on the 210 Freeway after fleeing an immigration enforcement sweep near the store. The protest involved no vandalism or violence.