Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara later said Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. His family have also denied the claims made by the DHS, saying Pretti was carrying a phone in his hand at the time, not a gun.
In a statement to Kare11, Pretti’s father and mother said Trump’s administration was peddling ‘sickening lies’.
Calls have since been made for a full inquiry to be opened into the incident.In response, Trump sent former ICE director Homan to the city – a move he claims Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is ‘happy’ about, in a new Truth Social post.
But who exactly is Homan, and what is a ‘border czar’?
What is a border czar?
Days after winning the 2024 election, Trump announced Homan would be appointed to the role under the Trump administration.
Explaining what that meant in a Truth Social post, he said: « I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation’s Borders (“The Border Czar”), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security. »
Trump appointed Tom Homan as Border Czar (Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)
Trump appointed Tom Homan as Border Czar (Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)
He added: « I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders.
« Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job. »
The role doesn’t require Senate confirmation, so it’s meant to cut across multiple government agencies to speed up decision-making; however, that lack of oversight is also why it’s often controversial.
Who is Tom Homan?
Homan has decades of experience in law enforcement, having begun his career as a New York state police officer and then spending time with US immigration authorities, including as a border patrol agent and supervisor.
