Newspaper editorial boards unite in condemning Trump admin over Minneapolis

All major newspaper editorial boards appeared to agree on the demand to de-escalate tensions by calling out the Trump administration’s response after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis on Saturday.

The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post rebuked the Trump administration’s handling of federal immigration enforcement officials’ presence in Minneapolis, as well as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s response to the attack.

“It’s time to de-escalate tensions in Minneapolis, Mr. President.” New York Post wrote. “Not because you are wrong to enforce immigration law or go after fraudsters who have stolen billions of dollars in federal funds, but because these enforcement tactics are not going to change course, they are backfiring.”

The New York Post called for an impartial investigation into the attack and condemned the administration’s rhetoric.

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“The hasty and misleading rhetoric spread by the administration needs to end: Any reasonable person who has watched the videos now clearly knows that Pretti did not ‘brandish his gun.’ And while Pretti was horribly misguided, there is no evidence that he was a ‘terrorist’ intent on ‘massacre’ law enforcement. Noem should also take a break from her self-promotional and combative TV appearances,” the editorial board continued.

The Wall Street Journal warned The administration decided to halt the practices in the Twin Cities.

“Whether he likes it or not, much of the burden now falls on Mr. Trump as the President who controls ICE. It would be wise to pause ICE enforcement in the Twin Cities to ease tensions and consider a less provocative strategy. Yes, many on the left would conclude that civil disobedience pays off. But Mr. Trump could still carry out enforcement with a smaller force and a strategy that targets criminals, not hotel maids and gardeners,” the Journal’s editorial board wrote.

The magazine also condemned the statements of the members of the administration.

“Mr. Trump and his advisers can help both themselves and the country by explaining what they are trying to do and appearing conciliatory. Ms. Noem and Mr. Miller are not reliable spokespeople. Their social media and cable TV strategy is to own the books rather than persuade Americans,” the editorial board wrote.

The Journal also called out leaders in Minnesota (including Gov. Tim Walz) for their rhetoric, arguing that it didn’t help lower the temperature.

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U.S. Border Patrol agents stand guard at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 8, 2026. Wall Street Journal editorial board headline on January 25, 2026. (Charly Truballeau/AFP via Getty Images; Wall Street Journal)

The New York Times wrote: “The administration is urging Americans to reject the evidence of their eyes and ears. Ms. Noem and Mr. Bovino lie in defiance of obvious facts. They lie like authoritarian regimes that require people to accept lies as a sign of power.”

The Times called The administration lowered the temperature and urged protesters to remain peaceful.

“It is too early to draw conclusions about exactly what happened on a Minneapolis street. The Trump administration should not have done this, and neither will we. But what is clear is that the federal government must restore public confidence in the institutions and officials carrying out Mr. Trump’s immigration crackdown. If the administration is allowed to act with impunity and evade even the most basic accountability, the result will be more violence,” the editors wrote.

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Washington Post Congress demanded legislation Establishing oversight of ICE, including requiring agents to wear body cameras.

“Most Americans want a secure border and think violent criminals should be deported. That’s a big reason why Trump is back in the White House,” the Post’s editorial board said. “But last year’s overreach could consume his presidency and lead to more tragedies. If Trump doesn’t change course on his own, can Republicans in Congress save him from himself?”

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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A Border Patrol member fires pepper spray at observers after a traffic accident on Blaisdell Boulevard on Jan. 21, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Pretti, a nurse from Minneapolis, was carrying a licensed handgun while protesting a federal law. immigration enforcement operationHe was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on Saturday.

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Pretti’s shooting sparked widespread protests across the city following the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month.