Minnesota CEOs call for deescalation
An undated handout image of Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by U.S. immigration agents while trying to be detained in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was obtained by Reuters on January 25, 2026.
US Department of Veterans Affairs | via Reuters
Top Minnesota business leaders on Sunday called for “immediate de-escalation” after federal immigration agents fatally shot U.S. citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies signed a letter persistently “state, local and federal officials will work together to find real solutions.” The companies said the recent unrest in Minnesota had caused “widespread disruption and tragic loss of life.”
Signatories of the letter include new Target CEO Michael Fiddelke; William Brown, chairman and CEO of 3M; Brian Sikes, president and CEO of food giant Cargill; and Stephen Hemsley, CEO of UnitedHealth Group.
“In this difficult time for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state, and federal leaders to reach a swift and lasting solution that will enable families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to continue our work to build a bright and prosperous future,” the letter said.
The letter came a day after federal officers shot and killed Pretti, a 37-year-old critical care nurse, in Minneapolis.
The Trump administration has moved federal law enforcement into the city to enforce its crackdown on immigrants and pursue allegations of widespread welfare fraud in the state.
Pretti’s murder was the latest incident in tensions between Minnesota officials and federal immigration officials that led to unrest in the region. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good earlier this month.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, has repeatedly called on the Trump administration to withdraw federal law enforcement from the state. The Trump administration has resisted those calls and accused the state government of not assisting in its efforts.
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