- President Donald Trump said his administration may need a "softer touch" in immigration enforcement following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis.
- The January deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti triggered national protests and sharp criticism from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
- Trump and senior officials initially blamed the victims, at times labeling them domestic terrorists without evidence, though later video footage contradicted claims that the shootings were justified.
- Trump acknowledged concerns about aggressive tactics, said agents "make mistakes sometimes," and confirmed the withdrawal of 700 federal immigration agents from Minnesota.
- Despite the softer rhetoric, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to a tough immigration agenda, marked by increased arrests, deportations and strict border controls.
President Donald Trump has announced that his administration may need to take "a softer touch" in its immigration enforcement operations, following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis last month.
In January, the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot and killed by federal immigration agents in separate incidents amid widespread protests against Operation Metro Surge, sparked national backlash. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, have sharply criticized the administration's enforcement actions and condemned the shootings.
Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other senior administration officials blamed Good and Pretti for their own deaths, at times describing them, without evidence, as domestic terrorists. However, video footage released later contradicted several initial claims made by officials, suggesting that the shootings were justified.
Since then, Trump has been engaged in a weekslong public feud with Walz and Frey, accusing them of political grandstanding.
However, in an Oval Office interview with NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas on Wednesday, Feb. 4, Trump acknowledged concerns over the aggressive tactics used by immigration authorities, while defending the broader goals of his crackdown.
"I learned that maybe we could use a little bit of a softer touch. But you still have to be tough," Trump said, adding that he had personally reached out to state and local leaders following the incidents.
Trump softens tone on immigration crackdown but intends to continue aggressive agenda
According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Trump's 2025 immigration policies have been characterized by a significant increase in the arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrants, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers operating under more stringent guidelines that prioritize enforcement over leniency. The administration has also implemented strict border controls, curtailing new arrivals and preventing the replacement of those leaving the country, contributing to a decline in the undocumented immigrant population.
However, Trump's remarks on Wednesday reflect a noticeable shift in tone as public outrage has grown.
At a White House briefing on Jan. 20, Trump said federal agents "make mistakes sometimes," marking his first acknowledgment of potential wrongdoing. Earlier Wednesday, U.S. border czar Tom Homan announced that 700 federal immigration agents would be withdrawn from Minnesota. When asked whether the decision came from him, Trump confirmed that it did.
"But it didn't come from me because I just wanted to do it," Trump said. "We are waiting for them to release prisoners, give us the murderers that they're holding and all of the bad people, drug dealers, all of the bad people. We allowed in our country, I say, 25 million people with an open-border policy for four years under [President Joe] Biden, and that group, the autopen group, I call them. We are allowed to come into our country, people the likes of which no country would accept. And we're getting them out."
But despite the softened rhetoric, Trump made clear that his administration intends to continue its aggressive immigration agenda, insisting that enforcement actions are necessary to remove dangerous individuals from the country.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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