How bad was Alex Pretti's killing for the Trump administration? New data tells us [View all]

(CNN) The Trump administration on Wednesday delivered its surest sign yet that it’s de-escalating its highly controversial immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.

Tom Homan, the White House border czar who recently took over the operation, said the administration is “immediately” drawing down 700 federal officers — a huge chunk of the 3,000 agents that have been sent. Homan cited more cooperation from local authorities in apprehending undocumented immigrants from jails, but those local authorities have disputed the claims about their supposed lack of cooperation.

Indeed, the more likely reason for the drawdown appears to be politics — the killing of Alex Pretti a week and a half ago in an encounter with federal agents made the situation untenable for the administration — and now it’s backing off, at least somewhat.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/politics/alex-pretti-shooting-minneapolis-crackdown-polls