Month: January 2026

Alex Pretti, 37, an ICU nurse, was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, amid heightened federal immigration enforcement. DHS says Pretti approached agents with a 9mm handgun; bystander videos and witnesses show him filming, being pepper‑sprayed and wrestled before agents fired, raising questions about the official account. Right‑wing reporter Cam Higby posted screenshots saying he infiltrated encrypted Signal “rapid response” chats used to track, dox and swarm ICE agents and identified Pretti as a member; social posts say a neighbor told The Mirror US he belonged to groups. Those infiltration claims remain unverified. (apnews.com)

On January 25, 2026, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz deployed the state National Guard to Minneapolis–St. Paul after a fatal federal immigration enforcement shooting sparked large protests. Video circulated showing Guard members handing out coffee, hot chocolate and donuts to anti‑ICE demonstrators while wearing bright reflective vests to distinguish themselves from federal agents. A Guardsman told WCCO the gesture was a “demonstration of safety and security.” The action, captured and shared widely on social media, drew mixed reactions—some praised de‑escalation; others criticized the move as politicized amid an ongoing state and federal probe of the shooting. Investigations continue and tensions remain. (apnews.com)

On January 25, 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul demanded President Donald Trump fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — or that Noem resign or be impeached — after federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, the second recent deadly encounter following the earlier killing of Renee Good. Hochul accused Noem and senior Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino of cultivating a culture of excessive force, cited videos she said contradict federal accounts, called for their removal, and vowed that states would hold officials accountable. “No one is above the law,” Hochul said at an Albany briefing and urged an independent probe. (governor.ny.gov)

President Trump posted on Truth Social that “China is successfully and completely taking over the once Great Country of Canada,” criticizing a Canada–China economic pact. He threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian imports if Ottawa pursued a free‑trade deal with Beijing. The deal would lower canola tariffs, permit about 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into Canada at reduced duties, and relax travel restrictions. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa is not seeking a free‑trade agreement and described the steps as limited sectoral measures. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated U.S. warning that tariffs could follow if Canada gives China unfair market access. (washingtonpost.com)

On January 9, 2026, hundreds of anti‑ICE protesters converged on the Canopy by Hilton in downtown Minneapolis after the January 7, 2026, fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. Demonstrators shattered windows, sprayed graffiti, forced entry through a side alley at times, and marched to nearby hotels, causing property damage including broken windows and graffiti at the Depot Renaissance. Police and state troopers declared an unlawful assembly, used large numbers of officers to disperse crowds, and detained 30 people (most released). The unrest is part of wider protests as the FBI and local authorities investigate Good’s killing. (newsweek.com)

On January 24, 2026, clashes in Minneapolis intensified as anti‑ICE demonstrators confronted federal agents deployed under “Operation Metro Surge.” Videos and eyewitnesses show crowds swarming officers outside the Whipple Federal Building, throwing fireworks, smashing vehicle windows and attempting to pry open government SUVs; federal agents responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and crowd-control tactics. The tensions followed the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol on January 24, which protesters dispute and which sparked nationwide vigils and legal actions. Minnesota officials and unions have demanded investigations and withdrawal of federal forces as unrest and doxxing of agents continued online. (washingtonpost.com)

Virginia Democrats introduced House Bill 1442 on January 22, 2026, sponsored by Del. Alfonso Lopez, to bar any person from performing acts in furtherance of federal immigration enforcement within 40 feet of polling places, local electoral board meetings while results are ascertained, and recount sites. (legiscan.com) The bill amends §24.2‑604, adding immigration‑enforcement language to the code’s existing 40‑foot prohibited area that already limits campaigning and firearms near polling‑place entrances. (legiscan.com) HB1442 is listed as introduced and committee referral pending. (legiscan.com) If passed, it would explicitly extend voter‑protection zones to cover immigration‑enforcement actions during elections. (legiscan.com) Sponsor Lopez is a Northern Virginia Democrat and lawmaker. (legiscan.com)

Federal Border Patrol and ICE agents have continued raids across Minneapolis amid large protests, refusing calls to withdraw. The Department of Homeland Security launched a large “Operation Metro Surge,” deploying roughly 2,000 agents to the Twin Cities. (washingtonpost.com) The deployments have coincided with deadly clashes, including the January 24, 2026, shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents, intensifying public outrage. (en.wikipedia.org) Minnesota officials have sued DHS seeking limits on the operation, while Secretary Kristi Noem and federal leaders have defended and expanded deployments, promising more officers despite protests and legal challenges, and ongoing investigations continue. (washingtonpost.com)

Senate Republicans signaled they will press ahead with the six‑bill spending package the House approved, refusing to strip Homeland Security funding, and urged Democrats to “find a path” to avoid a lapse. Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, vowed to withhold votes for any package that includes funding for DHS and ICE after two fatal Minneapolis shootings by federal agents — including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti — and demanded reforms and accountability. The standoff raises the risk of a partial government shutdown ahead of the Jan. 30 deadline as leaders scramble for a compromise and public outrage. (cbsnews.com)