Hello, I’m Major Garrett in Washington. Welcome to The Takeout.
President Trump told Fox News he will deescalate in Minnesota. Governments must satisfy two tests—competence and credibility—which, in matters of life and death, face unforgiving scrutiny. The Trump administration’s immigration actions in Minnesota have created a credibility gap following the shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Federal investigations have been criticized as opaque; local officials want meaningful participation.
A federal judge ordered acting ICE head Todd Lyons to appear in court to explain why ICE arrests and deportations in Minnesota appear to violate constitutional rights. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schlitz said the order was extraordinary but necessary given what he described as extraordinary violations. Law enforcement work can be dangerous; immigration results at the border have shown fewer illegal crossings, but internal enforcement has raised concerns: since July, federal officers have fired weapons during immigration arrests or at protesters 16 times. In many cases the administration declared the shootings justified before investigations concluded; at least 10 people were struck. In several cases charges against those fired upon were later dropped or thrown out. No federal agents have faced criminal charges or known internal disciplinary actions.
White House border czar Tom Homan met with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. How those talks resolve will affect both Minneapolis policy and negotiations in Washington over Homeland Security (DHS) funding and the possibility of a partial government shutdown.
From Minneapolis, Ian Lee reported calmer streets but continued memorials at the site where Alex Pretti was killed. Local officials demanded state and local investigative participation in federal probes; a federal judge ordered preservation of evidence so it can be shared. Mayor Frey and Governor Walz have pressed for cooperative, impartial investigations.
At the White House, Ed O’Keefe noted President Trump’s statement that he will “deescalate a little bit” in Minnesota and his admission that some officials’ tone or actions may have been problematic. Trump expressed concern about carrying guns at protests, saying he didn’t like that Pretti had a gun and two fully loaded magazines—comments that alarmed some gun-rights advocates. Kristi Noem, DHS secretary, has faced mounting calls for scrutiny and is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3.
Constitutional attorney Mark Smith said the Second Amendment protects carrying firearms, but not misusing them to engage in riots or affrays. If a person places themselves in a confrontation with law enforcement, lawful possession does not make them immune from the consequences of perceived threats; investigations must determine facts in each shooting.
On Capitol Hill, Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, said they would block funding unless DHS reforms were made—specifically to rein in ICE. Senate Republican Chief Whip John Thune sought a path forward to avert a shutdown and maintain an appropriations package, but Democrats said they would withhold votes until DHS funding was removed or reforms secured. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego said he’d pressure Republicans to explain continued funding without changes after two U.S. citizens were shot by federal agents.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon described a letter from the attorney general arriving hours after Alex Pretti’s killing, which he called a “ransom note.” The letter linked scaling back enforcement to state concessions: providing voter rolls, public assistance data, and ending sanctuary policies. Minnesota refused to hand over sensitive voter data—Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers—citing ongoing litigation and privacy laws. Simon emphasized Minnesota’s clean election rolls and high turnout.
The White House faces two interconnected problems: restoring competence and repairing credibility. The administration’s internal enforcement has raised questions: federal officers fired weapons at protesters or during enforcement actions 16 times since July; administration statements often defended agents before investigations concluded. Some cases resulted in charges against those shot, but charges were later dropped or dismissed where evidence weakened. Washington Post reporting shows a pattern of rapid administration assertions that officers acted defensively.
David Nakamura of The Washington Post said his reporting found 16 incidents since July involving DHS officers firing weapons during enforcement stops or at protesters. In each case, the administration quickly declared the shootings justified. At least 10 people were struck. In many cases, prosecutions against those fired upon were brought rapidly and later dropped or thrown out when evidence didn’t support charges. No federal agent has faced criminal charges or known internal discipline publicly. Cases in Chicago and Washington, D.C., illustrated conflicts between initial federal assertions and later evidence or dropped charges; civil rights attorneys are pursuing civil suits.
Senator Ted Cruz criticized the administration’s rhetoric, saying escalated language—labeling people as terrorists or would‑be assassins—was counterproductive. Political panelists debated whether the problem was rhetoric or action; both agree the violence that resulted—citizens killed—requires accountability and careful recalibration of policy and tone.
National security: the U.S. Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrived in the Middle East as President Trump publicly weighed military options amid unrest in Iran. The deployment could deter Iranian aggression, protect U.S. forces, or position the U.S. for strikes against the regime. Sam Vinograd cautioned that strikes aimed at helping protesters could cause collateral damage and that purpose and effects must be carefully weighed. Military assets in the region may prompt warnings to U.S. citizens, embassy movements, and changes in flights if escalation appears imminent.
Other headlines and topics:
– TikTok agreed to settle a social media addiction lawsuit shortly before trial; the first of several cases expected this year targets major platforms. Snap settled earlier; Meta and YouTube face trial.
– The NTSB released findings on last year’s mid-air collision near Reagan National: systemic failures and FAA shortcomings were cited. The chair called the crash “100% preventable.” Concerns about airspace design and data usage were highlighted.
– New report: federal officers fired firearms during immigration enforcement or at protesters multiple times; the administration often deemed shootings justified before investigations concluded.
Interview highlights:
– Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon rejected the DOJ request for voter rolls; he called the attorney general’s letter—linking enforcement drawdown to handing over sensitive data—disturbing. Minnesota has a strong record of accurate, high-turnout elections.
– Washington Post reporter David Nakamura detailed the pattern of rapid administration defenses of federal agents in shootings and the paucity of accountability or criminal charges for agents.
Policy and politics:
– The Minnesota operations have strained federal‑state relations and triggered congressional maneuvers over DHS funding. Democrats press for reforms; Republicans aim to keep the appropriations package intact.
– Calls for firing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem came from some Democrats and even Democratic Sen. John Fetterman; the White House signaled recalibration but faces political trade-offs on personnel decisions and Senate confirmations.
Closing:
The events in Minnesota—shootings, ICE operations, federal‑state tensions—have exposed the Trump administration to difficult questions about competence, credibility, and appropriate use of force. Investigations, court orders, and political negotiations are shaping responses in Washington and across state and local governments. The balance between enforcing immigration laws and protecting civil liberties is at the heart of these debates.
