Minnesota Business Leaders Urge Immediate De-escalation Amid Immigration Crackdown
More than sixty chief executive officers from Minnesota-based companies have issued a strong call for an immediate "de-escalation of tensions" between state, local, and federal authorities. This appeal comes as the state grapples with the aftermath of another fatal shooting involving immigration agents, which has intensified protests across Minnesota.
CEO Coalition Includes Major Corporations and Sports Teams
The CEOs represent a wide array of prominent organizations, including retail giants like Target and Best Buy, agricultural leaders such as Land O’Lakes and Cargill, food manufacturer General Mills, healthcare provider UnitedHealth Group, and professional sports franchises like the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Timberwolves. Their collective letter was shared on Sunday by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the business community's deep concern over the escalating situation.
In the letter, the executives emphasized that "representatives of Minnesota’s business community have been working every day behind the scenes with federal, state, and local officials to advance real solutions." However, they stated that with the recent tragic news, they are now publicly calling for authorities to work together to reduce tensions immediately.
Fatal Shooting Sparks Outrage and Protests
The letter was prompted by a fatal incident on Saturday in Minneapolis, where Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse. According to reports, Pretti was subdued and on his hands and knees when the agents found a weapon on him, for which he had a permit, before the killing occurred. This event follows another shooting earlier this month, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents killed Renee Good, a mother of three, as she was driving away.
These agents are part of President Donald Trump's immigrant crackdown, which has led to a significant presence of federal officers in Minneapolis. The shootings have amplified protests across Minnesota, with many residents expressing anger and demanding accountability.
Federal and State Authorities Clash Over Response
Hours after the shooting, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol commander-at-large Greg Bovino claimed, without presenting evidence, that Pretti had impeded and assaulted federal officers in what they described as an act of domestic terrorism. On Sunday, Bovino stated on CNN's State of the Union that the agents involved in Pretti's killing were "most likely" being placed on administrative leave and removed from Minneapolis, while defending their actions as justified.
In contrast, state and city officials have repeatedly called for the federal officers to leave Minnesota and demanded that local authorities take over the investigation into Pretti's death. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz accused the agents of engaging in "extra-judicial law enforcement" rather than focusing on immigration enforcement. He urged people to set aside politics and consider the humanity of the situation, criticizing what he called gaslighting by powerful figures.
Legal and Investigative Challenges Emerge
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed deep concern on Sunday about the preservation of evidence related to Pretti's shooting, after state investigators were denied access to the crime scene. Ellison confirmed that state officials had sought and received a restraining order requiring federal authorities to preserve evidence, underscoring the tensions in the investigative process.
Bovino also revealed that the immigrant agents were seeking when they encountered Pretti remains at large, adding another layer of complexity to the case. As protests continue and business leaders voice their concerns, the situation in Minnesota remains volatile, with calls for de-escalation growing louder from multiple sectors of society.
