President Donald Trump and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz struck a more conciliatory tone on Monday following a private phone call, raising hopes of easing tensions after two US citizens were killed during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
Trump also spoke separately with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and all sides described the conversations as constructive — a marked shift from weeks of heated public clashes over the administration’s deportation push.
Possible Change in Federal Command
Further signs of de-escalation emerged after a senior administration official confirmed that Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol figure closely associated with the crackdown, would leave Minnesota along with some of the agents deployed under the operation.
The official said Trump’s border policy chief, Tom Homan, would take over leadership of the operation known as “Operation Metro Surge.” Trump said Homan had not been directly involved in recent enforcement actions in Minnesota but was familiar with local officials.
Later on Monday, sources familiar with the matter said Bovino had been removed from his specially created role as “commander at large” and would return to his previous post along the California–Mexico border before retiring. The Department of Homeland Security, however, disputed reports that Bovino had been formally relieved of his duties.
Backlash After Fatal Shootings
The shift in tone followed the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, who was shot dead by federal agents during clashes between immigration officers and protesters over the weekend. The incident sparked widespread anger after video footage circulated online appeared to contradict official accounts that Pretti posed an immediate threat.
Earlier this month, another Minneapolis resident, Renee Good, also a US citizen, was killed by a federal agent during a separate enforcement action. In both cases, authorities said the agents acted in self-defence, though video evidence raised questions about those claims.
To date, the US Justice Department has not announced a formal investigation into either shooting, while Minnesota officials have accused federal agencies of obstructing state-level inquiries, prompting legal disputes over access to evidence.
‘Telephone Diplomacy’ to Ease Tensions
After his call with Walz, Trump said the two leaders were “on a similar wavelength,” despite the governor’s earlier opposition to the deployment of roughly 3,000 federal immigration agents to the Minneapolis–St. Paul area.
Walz’s office described the discussion as productive, saying Trump agreed to consider reducing the federal presence and to instruct Department of Homeland Security to ensure Minnesota could proceed with its own investigation into Pretti’s death.
Frey also said progress had been made, noting that Trump acknowledged the current situation was unsustainable and that some federal agents would begin leaving the Twin Cities as early as Tuesday.
Political Fallout in Minnesota
The controversy has begun to reshape local politics. Chris Madel, a prominent Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, withdrew from the race on Monday, saying the deportation drive had gone too far and made a Republican victory impossible.
“I cannot support retribution against the citizens of our state,” Madel said, adding that the crackdown had alienated voters across party lines.
As discussions continue between state and federal officials, observers say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the apparent thaw leads to a lasting reduction in tensions — or merely a pause in a deeply polarising standoff over immigration enforcement.