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U.S. Senator Rand Paul, of Kentucky, has called for federal agents involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis to be placed on administrative leave while an independent investigation is conducted — saying the response should mirror standard local law enforcement practices.
In a Tuesday social media post Tuesday, Paul also criticized what he described as a “dismissive response from the Trump administration,” saying he could not recall a police chief quickly labeling a victim a “domestic terrorist” or “would-be assassin,” and Paul further noted that “an independent investigation is necessary for calm to be restored.”
As chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Paul has also demanded oversight hearings into immigration enforcement operations. He has sent letters to the heads of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, as well as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, calling on them to testify at an open hearing scheduled for February 12.
In the letters, Paul said Congress has “an obligation to oversee the significant funding allocated for border security and immigration enforcement, ensure it is used effectively, and protect the public.”
Paul has previously questioned the scale of funding for ICE, noting Congress is debating an additional $10 billion for the agency — even though nearly $76 billion has already been approved over the next four years. He said ICE would still see a major funding increase even if the latest proposal fails.
The fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti has intensified scrutiny of immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. Several Senate Republicans have called for a thorough investigation, while House Oversight Committee Chair Representative James Comer, also of Kentucky, has suggested the Trump administration consider pulling ICE personnel out of the city — saying “other communities may be more receptive to enforcement operations.”
The Huffington Post, The Hill and Fox News contributed to this report.
