Minnesota Sues Trump Administration Over Fatal Federal Shootings

Minnesota officials have filed a federal lawsuit against the administration of Donald Trump, accusing it of withholding critical evidence tied to a series of controversial shootings by federal immigration officers, including the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

According to court filings, the state alleges that federal authorities failed to honour earlier commitments to cooperate with local investigations following the incidents, which occurred during a large-scale immigration crackdown known as Operation Metro Surge.

The operation, described by federal agencies as the largest of its kind, saw thousands of officers deployed across Minneapolis–Saint Paul as part of a broader deportation campaign. However, it quickly drew criticism from Minnesota leaders, who questioned the conduct of federal agents and the use of force.

At the centre of the lawsuit are the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, and Renee Good, both killed in separate encounters with federal officers in January 2026. Their deaths, along with another shooting involving a civilian, sparked widespread protests and demands for accountability.

State authorities argue that federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, have refused to release investigative materials needed to determine whether criminal laws were violated. The lawsuit contends that withholding such evidence amounts to shielding federal officers from scrutiny.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty criticized the federal government’s stance, calling it “unprecedented and alarming,” and warning that it undermines the state’s ability to pursue justice.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into Pretti’s killing but declined to pursue a similar probe in Good’s case, marking a departure from past federal responses to police-involved shootings.

The case highlights escalating tensions between state and federal authorities over oversight, transparency, and accountability in law enforcement operations tied to immigration enforcement.