Minneapolis surge ending, border czar Tom Homan says

The surge yielded the "successful results we came here for," Homan said.

ByMeredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, and Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: February 12, 2026, 4:06 PM EST

Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed on Jan. 24 in Minneapolis -- the second shooting of a U.S. citizen last month by federal agents in the city. His death was ruled a homicide by the county medical examiner.

The shooting of Pretti, an ICU nurse, ratcheted up tensions, as protesters clashed in the streets with law enforcement in the aftermath of the shooting.

The incident followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, on Jan. 7.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Feb 04, 2026, 10:52 AM EST

Walz responds to news of federal 'draw down'

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted a statement on social media Wednesday, reacting to the announcement that the federal government would remove 700 agents from Minnesota but leave 2,000 for immigration enforcement.

"Today's announcement is a step in the right direction, but we need a faster and larger drawdown of forces, state-led investigations into the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and an end to this campaign of retribution," Walz said.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a news conference in Blaine, Minn., Jan. 25, 2026.
Abbie Parr/AP

Feb 04, 2026, 9:37 AM EST

2,000 fed officers will remain in state, Homan said

When asked to clarify how many federal agents will remain in Minnesota, Border Czar Tom Homan said, "right around 2,000," would be doing "immigration enforcement efforts."

Homan noted that the pre-operation footprint was 150 agents.

"We got to remember, we have special agents on detail here doing fraud investigation. They're not going anywhere," Homan added. "They're going to finish their jobs.

White House 'border czar' Tom Homan speaks during a press conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 4, 2026.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Feb 04, 2026, 9:27 AM EST

Homan says personnel providing security won't immediately draw down

While Border Czar Tom Homan said there would be a "draw down" of agents, he added that federal personnel providing security will not leave the city until the federal government sees a change in the "lawlessness" impeding ICE and Border Patrol agents.

"Stop impeding, stop violating the law because we will arrest you," he said Wednesday morning.

White House 'border czar' Tom Homan speaks during a press conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 4, 2026.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Feb 04, 2026, 9:22 AM EST

Feds to 'draw down' 700 agents in Minnesota

Border Czar Tom Homan said Wednesday the federal government will "draw down" 700 agents in the Minnesota area "effective immediately."

He also said that CBP and ICE agents in Minnesota are aligned.

"Any large operation I've ever been apart of is one chain of command and that's where we're moving forward," he said.

-ABC News' Luke Barr

White House 'border czar' Tom Homan speaks to the press outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, January 14, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

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