On Sunday, multiple national developments involving the U.S. federal government under President Donald Trump drew significant attention, particularly after a second fatal shooting by federal agents in recent weeks sparked widespread public demonstrations and political debate.
A person holds a U.S. flag amid clashes between federal agents and community members at the scene in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where federal officers fatally shot Alex Pretti on Saturday.
Fatal Incident in Minneapolis and Nationwide Response
Federal law enforcement officers fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse, in Minneapolis on 24 January amid a broader immigration enforcement operation. Video footage circulating publicly appeared to show Pretti holding a phone rather than a weapon at the time he was shot, contradicting initial official statements alleging he posed a lethal threat. The incident marked the second such killing by federal agents in the city within weeks and prompted protests in multiple cities across the United States, including New York, San Francisco and Boston.
Local and state officials condemned the incident, and several Democratic lawmakers threatened to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security in response to what they described as excessive use of force and lack of accountability in immigration enforcement.
Legislative and Policy Responses
In the wake of the shooting and related security concerns, tensions have risen in Congress over budget allocations for immigration enforcement. Some Democratic lawmakers have indicated they would oppose homeland security appropriations unless reforms are included. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of legislators has also moved to oppose proposed tariffs on European trading partners.
Additional Developments
Other news items highlighted in coverage of U.S. politics included decisions by the administration on cultural and international matters, such as the president’s announcement that he would not attend an upcoming Super Bowl in California and statements attempting to clarify prior comments about British military personnel. A significant winter storm affecting a large portion of the country also appeared in reports as an ongoing domestic concern, contributing to travel disruptions and power outages.