A growing number of congressional Republicans are calling for an investigation into the shooting involving a federal immigration officer this weekend in Minnesota, prompting President Donald Trump to shift his strategy amid pushback from his own party.
Trump held a call with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Monday to discuss a path forward on federal and local law enforcement agencies working together, which the president said “was a very good call” and that he and the Democratic governor “actually seemed to be on a similar wavelength.” Trump announced earlier that morning that he would send border czar Tom Homan to the North Star State, placing him in charge of operations in what appears to be an effort by Trump to ease tensions.
“I told Gov. Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I!”
Trump’s shift in tone comes as several members of his parties have expressed concern about the incident on Saturday, and some have even called for “thorough investigations” into the matter.
“We must have a transparent, independent investigation into the Minnesota shooting, and those responsible — no matter their title — must be held accountable,” Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said in a statement. “Officials who rush to judgment before all the facts are known undermine public trust and the law-enforcement mission.”
Curtis said he disagreed with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s “premature” response after the shooting, arguing it came “before all the facts were known” and that it “weakened confidence” in the agency.
Top Republicans want administration to testify before Congress
Top Republicans in both the House and Senate tasked with overseeing federal immigration agencies are now calling for formal hearings with administration officials to ensure operations are being carried out appropriately.
Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., who chairs the House Homeland Security, was the first to issue a formal request on Saturday to hear from ICE, Border Patrol, and Customs and Immigration Services officials sometime in February. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who leads the Senate Homeland Committee, issued a similar request on Monday.
“Congress has an important responsibility to ensure the safety of law enforcement and the people they serve and protect,” Garbarino wrote in his request.
A growing number of Republicans have called for investigations at the state and federal level to ensure justice and transparency.
“For this specific incident, (an investigation) requires cooperation and transparency between federal, state, and local law enforcement,” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said in a statement over the weekend. “Any administration official who rushes to judgment and tries to shut down an investigation before it begins are doing an incredible disservice to the nation and to President Trump’s legacy.”
Other lawmakers have warned that failing to conduct a thorough investigation would threaten the credibility of ICE and other immigration agencies. Rep. James Comer, the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee, even went so far as to suggest Trump should pull agents out of Minneapolis.
“If I were President Trump, I would almost think about: ‘Okay, if the mayor and governor are going put our ICE officials in harm’s way and there’s a chance of losing more innocent lives, or whatever, then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide: Do we want to continue to have all of these illegals?’” Comer told Fox News on Sunday.
Political fallout threatens government shutdown
As Republicans weigh their responses to the shooting on Saturday, the incident could have longer lasting effects with the government shutdown deadline later this week.
The Senate is expected to consider the final government funding package sometime this week that contains the six remaining appropriations bills for the 2026 fiscal year, but Democrats are threatening to tank the bill unless the portion funding DHS and ICE is removed.
“Senate Democrats will not allow the current DHS funding bill to move forward,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. “Senate Republicans must work with Democrats to advance the other five funding bills while we work to rewrite the DHS bill. This is (the) best course of action, and the American people are on our side.”
Despite those calls, Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s office on Monday said it would keep the six-bill tranche intact and will vote on the package as-is.
The growing opposition from Democrats comes after an altercation in Minneapolis on Saturday, during which an immigration officer shot and killed a man who was filming in the streets. DHS officers say the man was armed and the agents believed he was a threat, while Democrats argue he did not brandish a weapon. Details of the shooting at this point are limited.
