First Lady Melania Trump calls for unity amid Minneapolis anti-ICE violence, unrest

First Lady Melania Trump issued a call for national "unity" on Tuesday amid escalating unrest in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of anti-ICE agitator Alex Pretti by a US Border Patrol agent.

In an interview on Fox & Friends, the first lady addressed the ongoing protests sparked by Pretti's death on January 24, as well as a prior fatal shooting of Renee Good by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent earlier in the month. Good was shot and killed in an apparent act of self-defense after ramming her vehicle into a federal agent while impeding immigration enforcement operations.

"I'm calling for unity," Melania Trump said in a rare TV appearance. She emphasized peaceful expression of views, adding, "I'm against the violence, so please, if you protest, protest in peace." The first lady highlighted recent efforts at de-escalation, noting President Donald Trump had a "great call" with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats. "They're working together to make it peaceful and without riots," she said.

The comments come as the administration has begun shifting its approach in Minneapolis following intense backlash over the two fatal shootings, which remain under investigation. President Trump announced changes in leadership for the federal operation, which kicked off over widespread fraud, much of it allegedly linked to the Somali community in Minnesota. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino is no longer in charge of operations, and Border Czar Tom Homan has been appointed by the president to lead immigration enforcement. There have also been reports that the number of federal agents in the city will be reduced.

Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot multiple times while impeding immigration enforcement operations and resisting arrest during an encounter with Border Patrol agents near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in the Whittier neighborhood. Pretti was armed with a gun. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially described the incident as self-defense, claiming Pretti resisted disarmament efforts and referred to him as a "terrorist." Multiple bystander videos have cast doubt on the agency's claims.

It has since been revealed that Pretti was known to federal agents and reportedly broke his rib while interfering with federal agents roughly a week prior. The deceased agitator also played a key role in disrupting operations, as revealed in Signal chats. President Trump called for a full independent investigation.