Overview
- A federal judge in Minneapolis heard arguments on Monday on requests to scale back or pause Operation Metro Surge after two fatal shootings by federal agents this month.
- Verified bystander videos of Alex Pretti’s killing appear to contradict DHS accounts, showing him holding a phone and agents removing a holstered gun before shots were fired; Pretti was a licensed gun owner.
- The FBI has custody of Pretti’s phone and firearm, and Homeland Security Investigations has secured some body-camera footage while conducting a use-of-force review under court evidence-preservation orders.
- Facing criticism, the White House dispatched Tom Homan to oversee the situation, withdrew Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, and distanced the president from officials’ “assassin” and “domestic terrorist” labels.
- Republicans joined Democrats in demanding a transparent, joint investigation and oversight hearings, while Senate Democrats signaled they may block DHS funding absent changes to ICE and Border Patrol tactics.