Minneapolis shootings put Trump into spotlight

A second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis has thrust President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown deeper into the national political spotlight, forcing Republicans to defend the administration's hard-line tactics while motivating Democrats, who see it as an urgent election-year issue.



Federal officers have killed two U.S. citizens in the city this month - including ICU nurse Alex Pretti on Saturday - during clashes with protesters angered by the administration’s sweeping enforcement surge.



The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate, Chuck ⁠Schumer, said his party would vote against funding legislation that includes money for the Homeland Security Department that oversees ICE, the federal immigration agency.



Congress faces a January 30 deadline to fund the government or risk a partial government shutdown.



Schumer, in a Sunday statement, said Republicans should "join Democrats in overhauling ICE and CBP to protect the public," referring to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.



Moderate Democrats, who broke with their party during last year's government shutdown standoff and have been most cautious to not appear as anti-law enforcement, have joined this call.



The Trump administration has launched its most ambitious immigration operation to date in Minneapolis, sparking weeks of protests by residents and violent altercations with federal agents, including two shooting deaths - Renee Good on January 7 and Pretti this weekend.