On Monday, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Jonathan Fahey spoke about what could come next if unrest in Minnesota continues and state leaders refuse to fall in line with the Trump administration’s demands.
Speaking on NewsNation, Fahey said Trump might even consider using extraordinary federal powers to respond to protests tied to federal immigration enforcement.
“A lot of this action by these so-called protestors is clearly coordinated,” Fahey told host Katie Pavlich. “They are not there to speak out against policy. They are there to disrupt the enforcement of law, which is the very essence of our democracy.”
Fahey said Minnesota officials now face a defining moment.
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“I think today is a great opportunity for leaders in Minnesota to show they are committed to law and order,” he said. “If they are not, President Trump will take the next step. That may be the Insurrection Act or something else.”
Over the weekend, Minneapolis erupted in protests after Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37‑year‑old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen. This marks the third deadly incident involving federal officers since Operation Metro Surge started last month.
Footage from the scene shows one agent taking Pretti’s licensed gun from him before another officer fired multiple rounds, and Pretti, who was legally allowed to carry the weapon, was shot and killed in the encounter.
Republicans and Democrats alike have called the shooting deeply troubling and urged a full, transparent investigation into what happened, as many questions remain about the actions of federal officers that day.
Trump initially responded to the unrest by floating the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, citing resistance from local leaders and criticism of federal enforcement tactics. He later walked back the threat, saying there was no reason to use it “right now.”
Behind the scenes, however, the White House appeared to recalibrate.
Following a phone call with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Trump announced that some Border Patrol agents would be pulled out of the state.
“Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It was a very good call, and we seemed to be on a similar wavelength.”
As part of that shift, Border Patrol commander at large Greg Bovino is expected to leave Minnesota. Bovino previously described Pretti as an “assassin” and claimed he approached officers with a gun. Those statements drew intense backlash after video contradicted key parts of his account.
Trump’s border czar Tom Homan is now set to take over oversight of the mission and report directly to the president.
Fahey praised the move, saying Homan brings credibility and discipline to the situation.
“If leaders continue to defy and obstruct after he gets there, it tells you everything,” Fahey said.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
