The Trump officials in hot water over Minnesota crisis
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Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino in Minneapolis, Minn., on Jan. 7. Photo: Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images
Several Trump administration officials are facing bipartisan blowback after rushing to the airways and social media in the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
The big picture: The White House has softened its tone and reshuffled its leadership in its Minnesota immigration crackdown as the political backlash has grown and public approval for the administration's aggressive immigration blitz has cratered.
- It marked a departure from the heated rhetoric that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller used in the wake of Pretti's shooting death Saturday.
Catch up quick: After the weekend of chaos, Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to the Twin Cities and made a public show of talking with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) about deescalating the federal operation.
- U.S. Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino will also reportedly be departing the state.
Between the lines: Trump lamented his officials' seemingly "callous" responses to Pretti's death, Axios' Marc Caputo and Brittany Gibson report.
- Meanwhile, the crisis has emboldened Senate Democrats to threaten a government shutdown and prompted calls for Noem's ouster.
- Reached for comment, the White House pointed Axios to comments from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's Monday press briefing.
- A DHS official told Axios in a statement that "with any situation that is evolving, we work to give swift, accurate information to the American people as more information becomes available."
Here are the Trump administration officials facing the most scrutiny over the Minnesota crisis.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
Noem's initial account of Pretti's death was contradicted by bystander videos from the scene.
- She called Pretti a domestic terrorist who was brandishing his weapon and wanted to harm officers — none of which was proven by available footage.
- A slew of congressional Republicans condemned her comments and called for investigations.
- Democratic support for impeaching Noem has surged. On Tuesday, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who supported her confirmation, called for her to be "immediately" fired.
The intrigue: Noem met with Trump for several hours Monday evening, according to multiple reports — but her job does not appear to be at risk yet.
Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino
Bovino has been the on-the-ground face of Trump's heavy-handed federal crackdown in Democratic-led cities.
- He fiercely defended his agents in the wake of Pretti's shooting and argued that immigration officers were the true victims.
- Now, he's been sidelined. Starting Tuesday, Bovino and some federal agents will depart, according to local leaders and multiple media reports.
- As rumors swirled that Bovino was on the outs, a DHS spokeswoman pushed back, saying he had not been relieved of his duties.
What we're watching: An administration official told Axios that Homan is likely to emphasize more targeted enforcement efforts with fewer confrontational tactics than Bovino.
- Asked Monday if Bovino would remain in Minnesota, Leavitt described him as a "wonderful man" and said Homan would be the point of contact on the ground in Minneapolis.
FBI director Kash Patel
FBI Director Kash Patel angered gun-rights advocates after telling Fox News' Maria Bartiromo that "you cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want."
- The Minnesota Gun Owners caucus said that contention was "completely incorrect" under Minnesota law. And the Minneapolis police chief said Pretti "did have a permit for the handgun to carry it."
- Leavitt pushed back against the criticism and said carrying a gun when confronted by law enforcement raises the "risk of force being used against you."
Zoom out: The National Rifle Association and other groups also rebuked Bill Essayli, a federal prosecutor, for his contention that law enforcement would likely be justified for shooting someone who approached them with a gun (which video did not show Pretti doing).
- The NRA described Essayli's sentiment as "dangerous and wrong."
- Gun Owners of America called his statement "untoward" — but Essayli accused the group of mischaracterizing his comments.
ICE chief Todd Lyons
The latest: A Minnesota federal judge said in a Monday order that his patience has run out over the administration's violations of court orders.
- He demanded Lyons appear in court Friday to explain why he shouldn't be held in contempt.
- U.S. District Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz noted that "ordering the head of a federal agency to personally appear is an extraordinary step," but said "the extent of ICE's violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed."
- Lyons has also been called to testify by Republicans on the Hill.
Go deeper: The dam is breaking on Republicans questioning Trump's DHS
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional information about Todd Lyons and a statement from a DHS official.
