Noem contrasts Memphis policing partnership with Minneapolis unrest after fatal federal shooting amid immigration enforcement operation

Federal security chief cites Memphis crime declines while defending Minneapolis operation that ended in a man’s death

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Saturday praised Memphis officials for cooperating with a federal-led public safety initiative, contrasting that collaboration with escalating tensions in Minneapolis after a man was fatally shot during a federal immigration enforcement operation.

Noem’s remarks came as national attention focused on Minneapolis, where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was killed on January 24, 2026 during a confrontation involving federal agents. Federal authorities have described the shooting as a defensive response after a man with a handgun approached officers and resisted efforts to disarm him. Video recorded by bystanders and circulated online shows Pretti holding a phone; the footage does not clearly show a weapon in his hands at the moment he was tackled and shot. The incident triggered protests and clashes between demonstrators and federal officers using crowd-control tactics.

In Memphis, Noem cited recent declines in violent crime and argued that cooperation between city leadership and federal law enforcement has produced calmer outcomes. She specifically pointed to the city’s participation in the Memphis Safe Task Force, a multi-agency effort that began operations in late September 2025 and includes federal, state and local partners. Tennessee National Guard troops began patrol support in October 2025 in a role described by city officials as “supporting” and “force-multiplying,” rather than conducting arrests.

What the Memphis Safe Task Force is and how it is structured

• The Memphis Safe Task Force was established under a presidential memorandum in September 2025, directing federal agencies to coordinate with state and local counterparts to reduce street and violent crime.
• The operation includes federal agents working alongside Memphis-area and Tennessee agencies; National Guard troops provide limited support functions under state command.
• The initiative has drawn both support and criticism locally, including concerns about civil liberties, policing tactics, and the long-term sustainability of a surge-style approach.

Crime trend data shows a citywide decline during 2025

Memphis Police Department year-end figures for 2025 report a broad decline in major crime categories, including a 27% decrease in Part I crimes and a 26% drop in murders. The department also reported reductions in aggravated assaults, robberies and carjackings, and said the city recorded fewer than 200 homicides in 2025 for the first time since 2019.

Separately, the Council on Criminal Justice reported that homicide fell across dozens of U.S. cities from 2024 to 2025, suggesting that improvements in Memphis occurred alongside a wider national decline—an important context as political leaders debate how much credit any single initiative can claim.

The contrast between Memphis and Minneapolis now centers on two parallel questions: how federal-local cooperation is shaping enforcement on the ground, and how accountability and transparency are handled when operations lead to serious injury or death.

What happens next

The Minneapolis shooting is expected to face continued public scrutiny as more video and investigative details emerge. In Memphis, public safety officials and community leaders are likely to continue debating the balance between crime reduction, oversight, and the appropriate role of federal personnel and the National Guard in day-to-day policing.