A fatal shooting by immigration agents in Minneapolis unites Democrats against funding DHS, pushing the US government to the brink of a shutdown.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump is on the brink of a second government shutdown after a fatal shooting by immigration agents shattered a fragile budget truce.
The killing of a nurse in Minneapolis has unified Democrats in opposition to funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without new restrictions.
Until the weekend, Republican leaders were confident they could pass a funding package before Friday’s deadline to avert a lapse.
That calculation collapsed after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti during a confrontation with federal agents on Saturday.
His death has triggered a broad political backlash that now threatens to shut down numerous federal departments.
Affected agencies would include defense, health, labor, transportation, housing, and the crucial Department of Homeland Security.
Democrats say they will no longer provide the votes needed to advance the funding package if it includes DHS money without new guardrails.
“This brutal crackdown has to end,” Democratic Senator Mark Warner said on X.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer formalised the position, saying his party would block the package containing the DHS bill.
The White House and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem portrayed Pretti’s killing as an act of self-defense.
They initially claimed he approached agents brandishing a handgun, intent on a “massacre.”
Multiple witness videos contradict that account, appearing to show Pretti holding a phone and being subdued before being shot.
Pretti was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, according to local law enforcement and his family.
For Trump, the standoff risks reviving memories of last year’s record-length government shutdown.
It underscores how his aggressive immigration push is colliding with the basic mechanics of keeping the government open.
The Republican leader struck a conflicted tone when asked about the incident.
“I don’t like any shooting,” Trump said, while also criticising armed protesters.
He said Monday he was sending his point man for border security to Minneapolis.
State and city leaders have demanded the immediate withdrawal of federal officers and an independent investigation.
“We’re in uncharted territory here,” Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said.
The fallout has rattled Republicans as well.
Several senators, including longtime Trump allies, have called for investigations in an unusual break with the administration.
Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy called the shooting “incredibly disturbing.”
He warned that “the credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake.”
Nebraska’s Pete Ricketts urged a “prioritized, transparent investigation.”
Despite the growing unease, Republican leaders are pressing ahead with the funding package as written.
Separating the DHS bill would require new votes in the House, making a temporary shutdown look highly likely.
