U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz demanding the state take three specific actions before federal immigration agents would consider reducing their presence in Minneapolis, including handing over voter registration records. Bondi blamed state and local leaders for unrest following the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations, saying Walz could “restore the rule of law.”
The letter comes after two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis. On January 7, Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was killed during an ICE operation. Less than three weeks later, ICU nurse Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed in another federal operation. Both incidents sparked widespread protests and condemnation. Video footage captured by bystanders raised questions about the agents’ actions and conflicting accounts have emerged from federal and state officials. Federal authorities said Pretti resisted violently and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem described an official firing “defensive shots.” Walz called those claims “nonsense” and “lies.”
Pam Bondi on Fox News just now pic.twitter.com/BdOMgwR6vv
— My moms caregiver (@mymomcare) January 24, 2026
Bondi outlined three demands in her letter: the state must turn over voter registration records to the Department of Justice, repeal sanctuary policies, and share records related to Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Service programs. Bondi also cited a 1,300 percent increase in violence against ICE officers and a 3,200 percent increase in vehicular attacks on federal agents, framing those figures as justification for continued federal operations. She criticized Walz for describing federal law enforcement as “Trump’s modern-day Gestapo” and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for telling ICE to “Get the f*** out of Minneapolis.”
The letter drew immediate criticism from Democratic voices. Senator Chris Murphy stated that the actions “have never been about safety or immigration” and called it a pretext for Trump to take over elections in swing states.
Governor Walz condemned the letter on social media, writing, “I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.” Bondi, in the letter, insisted that Walz “restore the rule of law, support ICE officers and bring an end to the chaos in Minnesota.”
I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) January 24, 2026
The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
