WSJ: Trump signals possible withdrawal of ICE from Minneapolis

US President Donald Trump has said his administration will conduct a thorough investigation into the killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

In an interview with the WSJ, Trump twice declined to answer directly whether the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who fatally shot the man had acted appropriately. The president criticised the victim for carrying a firearm during public protests, saying he disapproved of somebody going “into a protest and he’s got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also.”

At the same time, Trump stated that his administration intends to withdraw ICE personnel from the Minneapolis area, though he did not specify a timeline for the pullout.

Protests against federal law enforcement actions erupted in Minnesota earlier this month following a series of fatal incidents involving ICE officers. On January 7, an ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Good, triggering demonstrations and calls from Minnesota authorities for the withdrawal of ICE forces from the state.

President Trump accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz of inciting unrest and attempting to conceal fraud. A new wave of protests began on January 24 after another ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti.

By Vugar Khalilov