U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a Border Czar to oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minnesota after two fatal shootings involving officers.
On Monday, 26 Jan 2026 GMT+7, President Donald Trump announced his decision to send Border Czar Tim Hooper to Minnesota. He also said he had spoken with Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota following the second fatal shooting by immigration officers in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis remains shaken by protests since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers fatally shot Alex Pretty, an ICU nurse, last Saturday. This tragedy came just weeks after the killing of Rene Good, a mother of three.
"I am sending Tom Hooper to Minnesota tonight. He has never been involved in that area before, but he knows and likes many people there. Tom is decisive yet fair and will report directly to me," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
The White House stated that Hooper, Trump's key aide on border security, will "manage ICE operations in Minnesota to continue targeting the worst illegal alien criminals."
This move may signal a shift in strategy, as reports suggest Trump favors targeted actions over surprise immigration raids, a method supported by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Trump also said he had a very good conversation with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. "In fact, we seem to be on the same wavelength," Trump added, noting that Walz had called him "requesting to work together."
"I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Hooper call him, and what we're looking for are all the criminals they have in custody," Trump further stated on social media.
Meanwhile, outrage over the shooting of 37-year-old Pretty has grown, sparking widespread protests demanding justice. Even several Republican senators aligned with Trump have called for a thorough investigation after government statements contradicted video footage of the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said federal officers shot Pretty in self-defense, claiming the armed suspect violently resisted disarmament attempts. However, video footage shows that Pretty neither resisted nor tried to reach for a weapon.
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Source:cna