A senior House Republican is suggesting President Donald Trump may need to take drastic action in Minneapolis if local and state leaders continue resisting federal immigration enforcement — even if that means pulling ICE agents out of the city entirely.
Speaking Sunday on Fox News, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky warned that ongoing hostility from Minnesota officials could put federal officers and civilians at risk, creating what he described as an increasingly dangerous situation.
Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo raised concerns about a recent Minneapolis incident involving Alex Pretti, questioning official claims that the man posed a threat. Bartiromo noted that video footage appears to show Pretti holding a cellphone and recording the encounter, rather than threatening officers.
“There is no clear evidence he was waving a gun or threatening anyone,” Bartiromo said. “He appeared to be recording the situation.”
She then asked Comer what actions elected leaders can realistically take when local governments oppose federal law enforcement.
Comer suggested that if Minneapolis officials and Minnesota’s governor continue obstructing ICE operations, President Trump may need to reconsider whether maintaining a federal presence in the city is worth the risk.
“If local leaders are putting our ICE agents in harm’s way, and there’s a real chance of losing innocent lives, then the president has to weigh that,” Comer said. “At some point, you may have to move operations elsewhere and let the residents decide whether these policies are working.”
According to Comer, removing ICE could force voters to confront the consequences of sanctuary-style policies, arguing that unchecked migration ultimately impacts public safety, healthcare systems, and local resources.
He predicted that Minnesotans would eventually push back against state and city leadership if unauthorized migrants are allowed to blend into communities without enforcement.
Bartiromo later pressed Comer on whether officers actually saw a firearm during the incident, or if that information emerged afterward.
“Do we know the gun was visible at the time?” she asked. “Or was this simply someone recording the event who was legally armed?”
Comer acknowledged the uncertainty.
“We don’t know,” he said. “I’ve watched the video like everyone else. It’s not clear. What is clear is that the situation in Minneapolis has deteriorated to a dangerous point.”
Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was legally permitted to carry a concealed handgun. In widely circulated video footage, an officer can be seen removing a firearm from him shortly before he was fatally shot — fueling renewed debate over leadership, accountability, and the growing divide between federal law enforcement and progressive local governments.
As tensions continue to rise, Comer’s comments reflect a broader concern among Republicans that cities resisting immigration enforcement are creating volatile conditions — not just for officers, but for the communities they are sworn to protect.