First lady Melania Trump broke her usual silence on political matters Tuesday, calling for peaceful demonstrations as violent clashes over immigration enforcement continue to tear through Minnesota.
“I’m against the violence, so please, if you protest, protest in peace,” the first lady stated during her Fox & Friends appearance.
The Slovenian-born Trump rarely addresses her husband’s policies or ongoing political controversies.
However, she chose to speak out while promoting her forthcoming film, acknowledging the growing crisis and highlighting what she characterized as effective collaboration between federal and state officials.
She referenced a Monday phone conversation between President Donald Trump and two Democratic leaders, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, describing it as productive.
“They’re working together to make it peaceful and without riots,” she explained.
Her public statement comes as the nation fractures along partisan lines over immigration enforcement tactics and the violence erupting at recent demonstrations.
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The situation reached a boiling point Saturday when U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, a Department of Veterans Affairs nurse, at an anti-ICE demonstration in Minneapolis.
Recorded footage from the incident depicts several agents encircling Pretti.
Following the removal of a handgun from his belt holster, at least one agent fired multiple rounds, killing him at the location.
This marks the second deadly encounter involving immigration enforcement personnel in just over two weeks.
Renee Good died after video footage captured her accelerating her vehicle toward an agent while obstructing a roadway during a different demonstration.
Both events were documented on video and have generated fierce public reaction, with interpretations varying dramatically based on political alignment.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has mounted an aggressive defense of the agents.
At a Saturday news conference, she went so far as to call Pretti a “domestic terrorist.”
President Trump offered public support for the agent who shot Good after video evidence showed the officer being struck by her car.
Notably, he has not provided similar backing in the Pretti shooting.
Rather than defending the actions taken Saturday, Trump announced a leadership change for Minnesota operations Monday, declaring that White House border czar Tom Homan would assume command.
“I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me.”
The New York Times reported that Trump subsequently questioned Noem and DHS special government employee Corey Lewandowski in a late-night White House session.
According to the report, Noem received orders to redirect her attention to southern border security while Homan took over Minnesota enforcement activities.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche challenged the characterization when questioned about whether Noem’s terrorism label met legal standards.
“Look, I don’t think anybody thinks that they were comparing what happened on Saturday to the legal definition of domestic terrorism,” Blanche stated, following his criticism of Minnesota’s Democratic officials.
“And you’re right, to the extent there’s body cam or other videos that witnesses are still providing to us. So I’m not describing it as anything except for a tragedy,” he continued.
Americans remain sharply divided on the issue. A YouGov/Economist poll published Jan. 13, which was conducted following Good’s death but prior to Pretti’s killing, revealed that only 34 percent of Americans believe ICE operations enhance national security.
