Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called on President Donald Trump to withdraw the massive federal presence in his city following the latest fatal shooting of a man by federal agents on Saturday.
“This is a moment to act like a leader,” Frey said during a press conference following the shooting. “Put Minneapolis, put America first. Let’s achieve peace. Let’s end this operation, and I’m telling you our city will come back, safety will be restored. Take action now to remove these federal agents.”
Video posted online shows at least six masked federal agents wrestling an unidentified man to the ground before shooting him multiple times. It’s unclear what started the confrontation.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed the man was armed with a 9 mm gun and that a federal agent “fired defensive shots” at him out of fear for his life and the safety of his fellow officers.
Brian O’Hara, the Minneapolis police chief, told reporters he believed the man was “a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.”
Frey said the ICE presence in the city, which numbers over 3,000 masked federal agents, “weakens our country” and “erodes trust and democracy itself.” He also appealed to the public to help protect their city.
“To everyone listening, stand for Minneapolis. Stand up for America,” Frey said during the press conference. “Recognize that your children will ask you what side you are on. Your grandchildren will ask you what you did to prevent this from happening again. What did you do to protect your city? What did you do to protect your nation?”
“This is not what America is about,” he added. “This administration and everyone involved in this operation should be reflecting and asking themselves, what exactly are you accomplishing? If the goal is to achieve peace and safety, this is doing the exact opposite. Are you standing up for American families right now, or are you tearing them apart?