US President Donald Trump stepped in to try to reduce tensions in Minnesota days after Alex Pretti was killed by US Border Patrol agents.
Initially, members of the administration had accused Pretti of being a “domestic terrorist” who had arrived at an incident where US immigration forces were present.
Pretti was accused of seeking to do “maximum damage” and “massacre” the agents. However, the claims that he was “brandishing” a firearm were later proven false by video of the incident.
The administration’s focus on Minnesota and its reversal of some policies there may have ramifications for US foreign policy. First of all, it has shifted the White House’s focus. Second, it shows how attuned Trump is to public opinion, asking questions about difficult topics and being willing to be flexible when necessary.
Over the days since Pretti was killed on January 24, key Republican Members of Congress have begun to step forward, calling for an investigation.
“A growing number of Republicans are questioning or criticizing the Trump administration’s response to the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on Saturday,” CBS noted.
Among the US Senators from the GOP stepping forward to call for an investigation have been Senator John Curtis of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina
While members of the administration had appeared to pre-judge Pretti’s motives and condemn him, Trump had apparently become concerned about the killing and the chaos developing in Minnesota.
CNN noted that “Trump had a call with Gov. Tim Walz yesterday, saying they’re ‘on a similar wavelength.’ Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he also spoke to Trump, whom he said ‘agreed that the present situation cannot continue.’” Tom Homan, the administration’s key border official, has been sent to Minneapolis amid reports of a shake-up.
The goal for Trump is to try to take control of this situation. Pretti was the second American to be killed in Minnesota after Renee Good was also killed in a confrontation with US immigration agents on January 7. She had also been accused by administration officials of being a “domestic terrorist” when there was no evidence for this accusation.
Good had been accused of accelerating her vehicle while an agent was in front of it. Video of the scene, like the videos of the killing of Pretti, has led to questions about the use of deadly force. Trump said that her death was a tragedy, which already showed his rhetoric was very different than some members of the administration.
The Pretti killing clearly led to a decision by Trump to change how things were going in Minnesota. For months, supporters of the administration have supported a policy of deploying immigration enforcement forces to Minneapolis to go after illegal immigrants.
However, a narrowly tailored mission to deal with immigration morphed into clashes with American protesters. This appeared to morph even further and lead to the deaths of Americans who weren’t previously involved in protests. The Trump administration’s immigration policy, which had been relatively popular, came under a negative spotlight.
This appeared to morph even further and lead to the deaths of Americans who weren’t previously involved in protests. The Trump administration’s immigration policy, which had been relatively popular, came under a negative spotlight.
Observing the administration’s shift in strategy on Minnesota is important and provides a window into how the Trump doctrine approaches policies abroad as well. First, the administration and its base care a lot about domestic policy and also how foreign policy resonates domestically.
Trump holds back from missions without quick results
Trump has abstained from sending US forces abroad except on narrowly defined missions with achievable goals. When missions don’t produce quick results, such as the strikes on the Houthis, the White House decides to stop. Similarly, during Trump’s first term, he held back from strikes on Iran after Tehran downed an expensive large US drone off the coast.
Trump has been known to ask key questions about US involvement. He wants US allies and partners abroad to pull their weight. That means he doesn’t want the US to be involved in nation-building or being a global policeman, like in the 1990s.
The issue of Iran and its crackdown on protesters has come up recently. Trump agreed to strikes on Iran at the end of the Israel-Iran 12-day war because he wanted a way to decisively end the war and get a ceasefire.
Trump also warned Iran against killing protesters. Statements have included claims that Iran could “reap the whirlwind.”
The White House has warned Iran that there is a US armada near the country in the form of the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group. Iran has warned the US of the consequences of a strike. Iran has also hinted at attacking the carrier.
Countries in the Gulf are nervous. Conflicting reports indicate that the US stepped away from possible strikes in mid-January for various reasons. One reason that the US wants to be able to defend against Iranian retaliation in the region.
The question now is whether the chaos and killings in Minnesota may cause the White House to focus more on the US than abroad. Or, could it see strikes on Iran as a way to seize back the media narrative? Some media have portrayed the White House as retreating in Minneapolis.
The White House won’t want to look weak. Trump has shown he is willing to sit down with ideological opposites, such as New York Zohran Mamdani. On Iran, Trump will want to know what is accomplished in strikes. Reports say the regime may be weak.
Advisors may be telling Trump he should enforce his red line, or risk being portrayed as how Obama did not enforce a red line in Syria.
However, Trump will want to know whether strikes on Iran are popular with the base of his voters. It’s not clear if this is the case.
The killings in Minnesota illustrate that the silent majority of Americans doesn’t like seeing militarized law enforcement clashing with Americans. Trump has shown he is willing to do things differently than the knee-jerk reaction of some members of the administration.
Trump’s empathy for Good and Pretti is part of his larger empathy that also puts the hostages and a Gaza ceasefire first. On Iran, he will have empathy for the protesters. But will he believe that airstrikes can lead to a clear win and outcome.