Melania Trump Calls for Unity After Minneapolis Shootings
First lady Melania Trump urged peaceful protests in a Jan. 27 Fox News interview after two fatal federal shootings in Minneapolis.
Overview
First lady Melania Trump said in a Jan. 27 Fox News interview that Americans should "unify" and urged protesters to remain peaceful, and she noted President Donald Trump had spoken with Minnesota leaders.
Her remarks follow the Jan. 24 shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents and the Jan. 7 killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross, incidents officials said have prompted protests and produced conflicting accounts.
The White House said President Donald Trump spoke with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and dispatched border czar Tom Homan to oversee enforcement operations.
The Department of Homeland Security said about 3,000 immigration agents were deployed to the Minneapolis region and federal officials said more than 3,000 undocumented immigrants have been detained as part of the enforcement operation.
Top Minnesota officials said some federal agents would begin leaving Minneapolis on Jan. 27 as leaders negotiate next steps, officials said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Melania Trump's rare call for unity skeptically by pairing her conciliatory quotes with extensive context about federal shootings, protests and agents 'swarming' Minneapolis. Language such as 'militarized enforcement operation,' emphasis on casualties and protests, plus noting her documentary promotion, collectively undercuts and questions her message.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents on January 24, 2026, during a targeted immigration operation in Minneapolis; officials claim he approached with a 9mm handgun and resisted, but bystander videos show agents restraining and punching him before shooting.
Renee Nicole Good, aged 37, was killed by ICE officer Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis after she drove away in her SUV following partially blocking a street; this was the second such incident that month.[1]
In a January 27, 2026, Fox News interview, First Lady Melania Trump called for Americans to unify and urged protesters to remain peaceful after the two fatal federal shootings in Minneapolis.[story]
The Department of Homeland Security deployed about 3,000 immigration agents to the area, detaining over 3,000 undocumented immigrants; President Trump spoke with Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, and border czar Tom Homan oversaw operations.[story][1]
On January 27, 2026, top Minnesota officials stated that some federal agents would begin leaving Minneapolis as leaders negotiate next steps.[story]
History
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