Two Border Patrol agents involved in deadly Minneapolis shooting placed on leave

A preliminary Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report submitted to Congress notes that two officers fired their weapons during a physical struggle with Mr Pretti.

Initial official statements had claimed he was brandishing a firearm.

While CBP confirmed the agents were removed from active duty in line with standard protocol, it has not disclosed when the decision was taken or the length of the suspension.

The incident marks the second fatal shooting of a US citizen by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis this month, following the death of Renee Good on January 7.

President Trump has affirmed he is seeking to “de-escalate” tensions in the city, where the DHS has been running Operation Metro Surge since December 1.

However, the US President has had fiery clashes with Minneapolis' Democrat mayor Jacob Frey online in recent days.

Mr Frey declared on social media that the city would continue to operate as a sanctuary jurisdiction, limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

He added that he had informed Mr Trump’s border tsar Tom Homan that “Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws”.

Mr Trump responded angrily on Truth Social, writing: “Could somebody in his inner sanctum please explain that this statement is a very serious violation of the law, and that he is playing with fire!”

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Wednesday that she was personally in Minneapolis, revealing that the Department of Justice had “arrested 16 Minnesota rioters for allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement”, with further arrests expected.

However, the Trump administration suffered a major legal setback when federal judge John Tunheim ordered the release of all refugees detained by immigration agents while awaiting permanent residency paperwork.

He also instructed officials to return refugees removed from Minnesota back to the state.

In his ruling, Judge Tunheim said refugees “are not committing crimes on our streets, nor did they illegally cross the border”, adding that the United States had long been “a haven of individual liberties”.

In the immediate aftermath of the 37-year-old's death, Ms Noem accused him of “domestic terrorism” and claimed he had been “brandishing” a gun.

However, the DHS report to Congress said an officer shouted that Mr Pretti had a weapon during the struggle, after which two agents opened fire, contradicting earlier claims that the shooting was purely defensive.

Lawmakers from both parties have called for the removal of Ms Noem and Stephen Miller, the White House’s senior immigration adviser.

Senior House Democrats have warned they will pursue impeachment proceedings against Ms Noem unless she resigns or is dismissed.

Republican and Democratic legislators are also weighing whether to strip DHS funding from crucial legislation needed to avert a government shutdown on February 1.

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