Public Opinion Shifts Following Officer-Involved Shooting in Minneapolis

Recent polling indicates a significant decrease in support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and widespread criticism of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The sentiment follows the tragic incident where Veterans Administration nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.

A video obtained by Reuters captures a law enforcement officer restraining Pretti before he was fatally shot by agents attempting to detain him on January 24, 2026. A Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday shows that 63% of voters disapprove of ICE’s enforcement of immigration laws compared to 34% who approve, reflecting a dip from January’s figures of 57% disapproval and 40% approval.

Additionally, an Ipsos poll released Monday reveals that 62% of Americans believe ICE’s current actions to combat unauthorized immigration are excessive, up from 58% the previous week. Notably, Republican disapproval of ICE’s methods rose by 10 percentage points, reaching 30%.

The Quinnipiac poll also indicates that 58% of voters support the removal of Noem from her position and 60% advocate for ICE’s withdrawal from Minneapolis. These findings surfaced before Tom Homan, the border czar, announced a reduction of 700 federal agents in Minnesota.

Close to half, at 47%, report knowing someone who lives in fear due to the Trump administration’s deportation policies, according to Quinnipiac.

The poll further highlights dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s handling of the situation, with 62% of voters deeming Pretti’s shooting “unjustified” and 61% suspecting a lack of transparency in the official account of the incident.

Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller labeled Pretti a domestic terrorist immediately following the shooting without evidence or investigation—a stance President Trump has cautiously distanced himself from. When questioned by ABC News’ Rachel Scott, Trump expressed disapproval of Pretti being armed but avoided affirming his advisors’ terrorism claims.

The Ipsos poll reflects a public divided, with 55% believing Pretti’s shooting was an excessive use of force, while 16% view it as warranted. Among Democrats and independents, a majority (88% and 54%, respectively) regard it as excessive; yet within Republican ranks, opinions vary, with 33% seeing it as necessary and 43% uncertain.

Approximately 6 in 10 voters think the Trump administration is not providing an honest account of the event, calling for an independent investigation.

This incident comes shortly after Renee Good’s death, another high-profile case involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.

The Quinnipiac poll shows 59% of voters identify the ICE-involved shootings as indicative of systemic issues within the agency, while 32% label them isolated events. Overwhelmingly, more than 90% advocate for requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras, and nearly 60% oppose face coverings for agents.

On broader immigration issues, Quinnipiac polling finds 59% disapproval of Trump’s policies, a decline from December’s numbers. Public opinion suggests Trump may have deployed ICE in Minneapolis for political motivations rather than purely for law enforcement.

A majority, 60%, perceive the current administration’s immigration stance as overly harsh, whereas a smaller group views it as appropriate or too lenient. Furthermore, 51% believe these policies compromise national safety, as opposed to 35% who believe they enhance it. Finally, 59% of voters favor providing most undocumented immigrants with a legal status pathway, while 34% prefer deportation.

These polls conducted late January to early February among over a thousand Americans reflect the growing concern and demand for policy revisions and transparency surrounding ICE activities and immigration rules.