President Donald Trump’s decision Monday to dispatch border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota was welcomed by a growing number of Republicans on Capitol Hill who say the federal government must work to lower tensions following the fatal shooting of another civilian during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
Trump’s move came after Border Patrol agents fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, during an altercation Saturday as he recorded a federal immigration operation. Pretti was taken to the ground by agents and shot, according to accounts of the incident, prompting protests and renewed scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics in the state.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) praised the administration’s decision to deploy Homan to Minnesota, calling it a constructive step at a volatile moment.
“This is a positive development, one that I hope leads to turning down the temperature and restoring order in Minnesota,” Thune said.
Privately, some Republicans say sending Homan signals a course correction. They see him as a steadier hand to carry out Trump’s deportation plans, even as concerns have grown on Capitol Hill about how Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino have managed the rollout, according to two GOP aides familiar with the discussions.
“This has not been going well, everybody knows it,” said one aide, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. “We needed a change of direction immediately.”
Calls for de-escalation have also been accompanied by formal oversight actions. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, on Monday requested testimony from senior DHS leaders as part of a broader investigation into immigration enforcement operations and the Minneapolis shooting.
In letters dated Jan. 26, Paul asked CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow to appear before the committee at an open hearing scheduled for Feb. 12, saying lawmakers need to ensure DHS is spending its money wisely and carrying out enforcement in a way that protects public safety and maintains trust.
More than a dozen House Republicans publicly echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for transparency, restraint, and congressional oversight. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) said he expects a full investigation into the shooting and confirmed that both Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been invited to testify before the committee in the coming weeks.
“Congressional oversight is essential to ensuring the safety of both law enforcement officers and the communities they serve,” Garbarino said, adding that the events surrounding Pretti’s death will be closely examined.
Other Republicans have gone further, openly criticizing the administration’s initial handling of the incident while still backing enforcement efforts. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said on his podcast that federal officials should strike a more careful tone.
“I would encourage the administration to be more measured, to recognize the tragedy, and to say we don’t want anyone’s lives to be lost,” Cruz said.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), by contrast, offered unqualified support for Trump’s decision to send Homan to the state, calling him uniquely qualified to navigate the situation.
“Tom is the expert’s expert and has dedicated his life to enforcing immigration law and policy in both Democrat and Republican administrations,” Graham said in a post on X, adding that the goal is to “make the people of America and Minnesota safer by following the law.”
Several Republicans framed the moment as a test of public trust. Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) said a transparent, independent investigation was essential and criticized what he described as a premature response from the Department of Homeland Security.
“Officials who rush to judgment before all the facts are known undermine public trust and the law-enforcement mission,” said Curtis. The Utah Republican said he’s working with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to demand oversight and testimony from federal officials.
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) struck a similar balance, supporting both immigration enforcement and a full investigation into Pretti’s death.
“Any loss of life under politically charged circumstances is a tragedy,” Crapo said. “Those duties must be exercised in a way that maintains and restores public trust. Tom Homan’s deployment to Minnesota is a good move.”
At least eight Republican senators have now publicly backed an investigation. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) said in a post on X that he supports Border Patrol and ICE but warned that “irresponsible rhetoric” and a lack of cooperation from Minnesota officials have contributed to a dangerous situation.
REP. RANDY FINE CALLS FOR INQUIRY INTO LEFT-WING GROUPS TARGETING ICE AGENTS IN MINNESOTA
Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) also called for a full and transparent review, urging federal agencies to testify before Congress and state and local officials to work more closely with enforcement authorities. “Let’s all work to lower the political temperature in the days to come,” Young said, according to reporting from Politico.
Pretti’s death came amid weeks of rising tensions between federal authorities and protesters who have been tracking immigration raids in Minneapolis. Earlier this month, an ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good, a Minneapolis resident who was participating in a similar encounter, further intensifying demonstrations and local opposition to federal enforcement efforts.
