[ad_1]
Changes are coming to federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Days after the shooting death of Alex Pretti by federal agents, the Trump administration pulled back Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino from the state and brought in border czar Tom Homan instead.
Some have suggested the move sidelines Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, but President Donald Trump has said he still supports her in that role.
“She absolutely should be fired by the president,” said Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Massachusetts.
President Donald Trump talked about the killing of Alex Pretti while visting a restaurant in Iowa.
Democrats believe this is a critical moment. Moulton traveled to Minneapolis on Tuesday and spoke with NBC10 Boston shortly after landing, applauding the president’s most recent steps, but couching that praise with a stark reminder.
“I guess there’s a little bit of hope in some of the actions that the administration is taking, but let’s be clear, they’re only taking these actions because two American patriots are dead on the streets of Minneapolis,” he said.
The congressman is in Minnesota in an official capacity carrying out Congressional oversight duties.
“This could be coming to Massachusetts next, so we need to be prepared, and there’s no better way to prepare for Massachusetts than to understand what’s going on in Minneapolis,” Moulton said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump has not labeled Alex Pretti a domestic terrorist and will let the investigation determine the facts.
Others, like fellow Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts, are calling on Congress to act.
“The president is starting to buckle,” said Auchincloss. “Which means that those of us who support the Constitution and civil rights and due process need to press even harder.”
The White House has faced similar criticism from Republicans in the wake of this weekend’s shooting. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, both Republicans, joined a chorus of Democratic lawmakers calling for Noem’s resignation, NBC News reported Tuesday.
Local GOP strategists say the recent pivot in Minnesota is warranted.
“I think the president, taking the initiative to understand that tensions are probably higher than anybody anticipated it becoming, I think he did the right thing,” said Republican strategist Ozzie Palomo.
Even so, Trump maintains immigration enforcement is needed in Minnesota and beyond. “We can’t lose sight of the fact,” he told reporters before departing the White House.
[ad_2]
Matt Prichard
Source link