Trump says the killings were ‘terrible,’ but warns critics not to misread his next move

President Donald Trump addressed the recent fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minnesota, calling the deaths tragic while rejecting claims that his administration is retreating from immigration enforcement. The incident came to light through Fox News following an exclusive interview on The Will Cain Show.

During the interview, Trump described the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti as “terrible,” while stressing that any changes to federal operations in the state should not be interpreted as a broader policy reversal. He said the administration is focused on lowering tensions without abandoning its enforcement priorities.

The president explained that while some adjustments are being made, the overall strategy remains intact. He emphasized that critics are mischaracterizing the situation, framing it as a pullback when he sees it as a limited shift in approach.

The leadership change is not a retreat, Trump says

Trump acknowledged that federal operations in Minnesota would be de-escalated slightly but rejected the idea that the move represents a loss of resolve, as seen in a recent report about border enforcement conflict, like ICE going door-to-door. He said the administration is looking at a “change” rather than a pullback, noting that the intensity of operations may be reduced while enforcement continues.

A key part of that change was the removal of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, who was replaced by longtime immigration official Tom Homan. Trump described Bovino as effective but said his aggressive style was not well-suited for the situation in Minnesota, suggesting the environment required a different approach.

The president said Homan’s ability to work with state and local leaders made him a better fit under the circumstances, similar to how other political leaders have navigated local crises like the one involving storm response challenges highlighted by Zohran Mamdani. Trump pointed to Homan’s history of maintaining working relationships with governors and mayors, which he said was critical given the heightened tensions between federal authorities and local officials.

That emphasis on coordination has already led to meetings with Minnesota leaders who have openly criticized federal immigration actions. Homan has reportedly spoken with Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Walz’s office confirmed that he and Homan agreed to maintain ongoing dialogue.

Trump also described his own conversation with Walz as unexpectedly cordial, saying the two had a reasonable and productive discussion despite political differences. He noted that the exchange contrasted sharply with the public rhetoric he often sees from state leaders.

Returning to the shootings, Trump said the deaths of Good and Pretti weighed heavily on him. He noted that Good’s parents were supporters of his and said that knowledge made the situation feel worse, while adding that he was unsure of Pretti’s family’s political views.

Trump also commented on details surrounding Pretti’s death, saying he found it unusual that Pretti was carrying a loaded handgun and additional magazines. While reaffirming his support for the Second Amendment, he said he did not like the circumstances involved.

Despite the shift in tone toward state officials, Trump maintained a hard line on the protests tied to immigration enforcement in Minnesota. He characterized many demonstrators as paid agitators and dismissed the unrest as a distraction from what he described as the administration’s broader law enforcement successes.