Trump Calls for ‘De‑Escalation’ in Minneapolis, Then Reverts to Tougher Tone

President Trump offered dueling messages this week on the federal operation in Minneapolis after federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens, saying on Tuesday, “We’re going to de‑escalate a little bit,” and later telling reporters he would not pull back, “not at all.” He also posted early Friday calling Alex Pretti “an agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist.” The mixed signals echoed a pattern in which Mr.

Trump briefly softens his rhetoric under pressure before reverting, the article says, citing past episodes after the Jan. 6 attack and the Charlottesville rallies. Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former White House strategic communications director, said Mr. Trump was following “the political winds of the right.” Administratively, Mr.

Trump removed Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol official who had been the public face of the Minneapolis campaign, and sent his immigration adviser Tom Homan to the city. Mr. Homan said he was meeting with state and local officials about a potential agreement related to ICE operations and expanding access to local jails that could allow the administration to “draw down” federal agents, and he urged that “The hostile rhetoric and dangerous threats and hate must stop.” Local Minnesota officials and lawmakers said residents, particularly in the Somali community, were still reporting aggressive federal tactics.

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