Election year jitters and the effectiveness of an overwhelming Democrat propaganda campaign over the shooting of another left-wing activist has some squishy Republicans showing signs of cutting and running on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis.
The Saturday incident that resulted in the death of gun-wielding 37-year-old Alex Pretti during an altercation with federal agents gave the Democrats another martyr who could be used to further their anti-American agenda and a justification for a limited government shutdown to cut off funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unless ICE is reigned in.
Cracks immediately began to emerge in the fading and fickle Republican majority, with GOP lawmakers calling for investigations and a high-ranking House lawmaker going on Sunday morning television to suggest that President Donald J. Trump should surrender Minneapolis to the insurrectionists by pulling ICE out of the city, ground zero for the uprising against the legitimate authority of the federal government.
Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) suggested that it could be time for Trump to consider pulling ICE out of Minneapolis in remarks during an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News.
🚨GOP Rep. James Comer: “If I were President Trump, I would think about maybe going to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide if they want to have all these illegals and allow their Governor, AG, and Mayor to get away with this.”pic.twitter.com/3AiYZiovoe
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) January 25, 2026
“If I were President Trump, I would almost think about, OK, if the mayor and governor are going put our ICE officials in harm’s way and there’s a chance of losing more innocent lives, or whatever, then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide: Do we want to continue to have all of these illegals?” Comer told host Maria Bartiromo.
The remarks from the Oversight Committee chief, a master of strongly worded letters, struck a nerve with X users.
Comer is Exhibit A of Why the ‘Controlled Opposition’ Republican Party Rolled Over for America’s Ruling Class in Destroying the Country…Now He Wets Himself as He Wants to Let the Insurrectionists Win —
Recommends ICE Retreat … @MariaBartiromo @RepJamesComer… pic.twitter.com/69gfSyAzgI— Grace Chong, MBI (@gc22gc) January 26, 2026
James Comer is a piece of shit https://t.co/D4zrPd5mJd
— Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) January 25, 2026
When I first learned of Chairman Comer, I thought he might be an idiot. Watching this little clip convinced me that he really is an idiot. It’s no wonder the Republicans are in such bad shape with people like this in positions of power and leadership. He’s either an idiot or…
— Dodger (@RHenry70914) January 25, 2026
How about NO! If he does that, this will happen in every city!!!
— Sadie (@Sadie_NC) January 25, 2026
James Comer is why Republicans lose elections.
— Bruce Sellers 🍊 (@besellers) January 25, 2026
In another sign of weakness, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) has formally requested the testimony of top ICE, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials in a letter shared to X by Bill Melugin of Fox News who points out that Democrats are “licking their chops” over being given the opportunity to grandstand.
This is significant. The Republican Chairman of the Republican-led House Homeland Security committee is seeking the testimony of top ICE & CBP officials. Committee Democrats will be licking their chops at the opportunity to question them under oath. https://t.co/cRO37pkjbE
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 25, 2026
GOP senators are also joining Democrats in calling for an investigation into the Pretti incident.
“The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth,” anti-Trump Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said in a post to X after the shooting.
The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.
— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) January 25, 2026
“Many of us wonder if the administration has any clue as to how much this will hurt us legislatively and electorally this year,” one anonymous House Republican told Politico, a sign that the priority of keeping their jobs over ridding the country of criminal illegals is growing among those who have utterly failed to deliver substantive legislation codifying Trump’s executive action.
One GOP House lawmaker who isn’t running for reelection explained why pulling ICE out of Minneapolis would be a terrible idea.
“A few Republicans are saying stupid things. They should stop. 1) ICE should not leave Minnesota. That would endanger citizens & empower marxist domestic terrorists. 2) Carrying a gun & magazines is not an invitation for cops to shoot you. Fighting cops (esp. w/ a gun) might be,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) wrote in a Sunday post to X.
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