MINNEAPOLIS, MN — In a dramatic shift of tone on Monday, January 26, 2026, President Donald Trump and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz reported a “productive” private phone call, marking the first sign of a potential de-escalation in the month-long federal deportation standoff.
The breakthrough comes as the Trump administration faces a bipartisan firestorm over the death of Alex Pretti (37), an ICU nurse at a VA hospital, who was shot by federal agents on Saturday. Pretti is the second U.S. citizen killed by federal forces in the Twin Cities this month, following the death of Renee Good.
1. The “Reset”: Homan in, Bovino Out
The most concrete sign of a policy shift is a major leadership reshuffle within the federal forces on the ground:
- Gregory Bovino Removed: Sources indicate that Cmdr. Gregory Bovino, the “face” of the aggressive federal surge, has been stripped of his “commander-at-large” title. He is reportedly being reassigned to a chief patrol role in El Centro, California, ahead of an expected retirement.
- Tom Homan Dispatched: Trump has tasked “Border Czar” Tom Homan to oversee Minnesota operations. Homan is viewed as a “tough but fair” veteran who may offer a more coordinated approach with local authorities than Bovino’s controversial “commander-at-large” unit.
- Partial Withdrawal: Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed that Trump agreed some federal agents would begin leaving the Twin Cities as early as Tuesday, January 27.
2. The Investigation into Alex Pretti’s Death
A central pillar of the Trump-Walz agreement is the handling of the investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti.
- Independent Oversight: Trump has reportedly agreed to allow Minnesota state authorities to conduct their own investigation into the shooting, a major concession given that DHS previously claimed sole jurisdiction.
- The Evidence Crisis: While DHS initially labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist” who “massacred law enforcement,” bystander videos verified by major news outlets like Reuters and the BBC show Pretti holding a cell phone, not a weapon, at the time he was tackled by agents.
3. Public Sentiment: The “Too Far” Threshold
The heavy-handed tactics in Minneapolis appear to have reached a tipping point with the American public. A fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday shows a significant shift in perception regarding ICE and Border Patrol tactics:
| Opinion on ICE Tactics | Percentage of Respondents |
| “Gone Too Far” | 58% |
| “About Right” | 26% |
| “Not Far Enough” | 12% |
4. Weekly Timeline of the Minneapolis Crisis
| Date | Event | Outcome |
| Jan 07 | Renee Good (37) shot by ICE | Massive protests begin in sub-zero temps. |
| Jan 24 | Alex Pretti (37) shot by Border Patrol | National outcry; “Domestic terrorist” label used by DHS. |
| Jan 25 | Gov. Walz demands federal exit | Constitutional crisis over “illegal occupation” looms. |
| Jan 26 | Trump/Walz/Frey phone calls | Conciliatory tone; Bovino demoted; Homan dispatched. |