Topline
The CEO of Target joined the heads of other major businesses in Minnesota to urge a “deescalation of tensions” between federal law enforcement and local officials in the state Sunday, one day after Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.
At least two U.S. citizens have been shot and killed by federal agents since a major operation began in Minnesota.
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Key Facts
The CEOs of more than 60 businesses in Minnesota signed the open letter from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce on Sunday, including the leaders of Target, the Mayo Clinic, Ameriprise Financial, U.S. Bancorp, Best Buy, 3M and Ecolab.
Several Minnesota professional sports teams also signed the letter on behalf of their organizations, including the Minnesota Twins of the MLB, Minnesota Vikings of the NFL, Minnesota Wild of the NHL, Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA and the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA.
The Chamber of Commerce said it was in contact with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and local mayors in the region, as well as with the offices of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, adding “there are ways for us to come together to foster progress.”
Hundreds of businesses in Minneapolis closed their doors on Friday as protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against the federal operation in the Twin Cities, the New York Times reported, with many posting signs expressing sympathy with the protesters.
Key Background
Pretti, 37, was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday. He was the second U.S. citizen shot and killed by federal law enforcement since a massive immigration enforcement operation began in the Twin Cities area, which the Department of Homeland Security previously called its “largest ever.” Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, was shot and killed in her car earlier in January, prompting further protests in the area.
Chief Critics
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have both placed blame for the shootings on the federal surge in the city that began in December. Immediately after the shooting, Frey asked Trump to “act like a leader” and end the federal presence in Minneapolis. “Put Minneapolis, put America first in this moment. Let’s achieve peace. Let’s end this operation and, I’m telling you, our city will come back.” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday the current situation was “not sustainable” and that his department was stretched thin. “People have been speaking out, saying that this was going to happen again, and I think everyone is kind of waiting for folks on both sides to come together and just figure this thing out,” O’Hara told host Margaret Brennan. However, Trump and other administration officials continue to blame local leaders. “The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Saturday.
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Zachary Folk