Minnesota CEOs Break Silence After Fatal Shooting, Call for Immediate De-escalation
Minnesota CEOs Call for Immediate De-escalation After Fatal Shooting
Minnesota’s business leaders are stepping into the public conversation after weeks of growing tension across the state. Following a fatal shooting involving federal agents, more than 60 CEOs — including leaders of major Fortune 500 companies — issued a joint statement calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and cooperation across all levels of government.
The open letter, released Sunday by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, comes amid mounting anger over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in the state. While much of the business community had remained publicly quiet, the latest death appears to have pushed corporate leaders to speak out, at least cautiously.
What Prompted the CEOs’ Statement
A Shooting That Changed the Tone
Saturday’s shooting marked the third shooting incident involving federal agents in Minnesota this month and the second that resulted in a death. The most recent victim, Alex Pretti, was a nurse working at a veterans hospital.
Federal authorities initially claimed that Pretti posed a threat to Border Patrol agents. However, video evidence that later surfaced appeared to contradict that version of events, fueling public outrage and renewed scrutiny of federal enforcement actions in the state.
The incident followed days of reports describing aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, including the detention of young children, the arrest of U.S. citizens, and officers entering homes without judicial warrants.
Inside the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Letter
A Call for Calm, Not Confrontation
In their open letter, Minnesota CEOs avoided direct criticism of federal agencies or the Trump administration. Instead, they focused on urging leaders to lower tensions and work together.
The statement emphasized the need for state, local, and federal officials to collaborate on solutions that restore stability and allow communities and businesses to move forward.
The letter also revealed that business leaders had been engaged in private discussions with officials for several weeks, including Governor Tim Walz, the White House, Vice President JD Vance, and local mayors.
What the Letter Does Not Say
Avoiding Direct Criticism
Notably, the statement stops short of calling for immigration officers to leave Minnesota cities — a position taken by Governor Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other elected officials.
The CEOs did not directly address allegations of unlawful detentions or excessive force. Instead, the letter focused on peace, cooperation, and economic stability.
This careful wording has drawn mixed reactions. Some see it as a measured attempt to cool tensions, while others criticize it as avoiding accountability at a moment of crisis.
Major Corporations Sign On
Fortune 500 Leaders Join the Call
The letter was signed by executives from some of Minnesota’s most influential companies, including:
3M
Best Buy
General Mills
Land O’Lakes
Target
UnitedHealth Group
U.S. Bancorp
Xcel Energy
Hormel
The involvement of these companies underscores how seriously the situation is being taken within the state’s corporate community.
Target Faces Heightened Scrutiny
Employees Detained Amid Immigration Raids
Among the companies named, Target has faced particular attention. Immigration officers have detained employees working at Target stores during the crackdown, prompting protests and demands from community activists.
Advocacy groups are calling on the retailer to take a clearer public stance against immigration raids, arguing that silence from such a prominent employer sends the wrong message.
So far, Target has not issued a separate public statement addressing the detentions.
Growing Divide Between Business Communities
Silicon Valley Leaders Speak Out More Forcefully
While Minnesota executives opted for a cautious tone, tech leaders elsewhere have taken more direct positions.
In Silicon Valley, several prominent figures openly condemned the shooting and federal actions.
Former Meta chief AI scientist Yann LeCun reacted to footage of the incident with a blunt statement, calling those responsible “murderers.”
Kath Korevec, director of product at Google Labs, shared a detailed response describing the video as painful but necessary to confront. She emphasized that the individual involved had already been disarmed before being shot, calling the incident unacceptable regardless of political views.
Public Anger Continues to Grow
Reports of Aggressive Enforcement
The fatal shooting has intensified anger that was already building due to reports of aggressive immigration enforcement across Minnesota.
Community members have reported cases involving children being detained, citizens being arrested, and officers entering private homes without proper warrants.
These accounts, combined with the shooting, have heightened fears and deepened distrust between residents and federal authorities.
Business Leaders Emphasize Stability and Economy
A Focus on Work and Prosperity
In the closing lines of their letter, the CEOs stressed their concern for employees, families, and communities.
They argued that prolonged unrest harms not only public trust but also economic stability, workforce morale, and the ability of businesses to operate effectively.
Their message framed de-escalation as essential not just for public safety, but for the long-term prosperity of Minnesota.
Political Pressure Builds on State Leaders
Calls for Action Continue
While the Chamber of Commerce letter urges cooperation, pressure continues to mount on elected officials to take clearer action.
Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey have already spoken out more strongly, calling for limits on federal enforcement activity within the state.
Activists and community groups argue that dialogue alone is no longer enough and are demanding concrete policy changes and accountability.
A Turning Point for Minnesota’s Business Community?
The statement from Minnesota CEOs may signal a shift, even if a cautious one.
For weeks, many business leaders had avoided public involvement in the immigration debate. The fatal shooting appears to have forced a response, though one carefully calibrated to avoid taking explicit sides.
Whether this marks the beginning of a more active role for Minnesota’s corporate community — or remains a one-time appeal for calm — remains to be seen.
What Comes Next
As investigations into the shooting continue, public attention remains fixed on how state and federal leaders respond.
For now, Minnesota finds itself at a crossroads, balancing demands for justice, safety, and economic stability.
The CEOs’ call for immediate de-escalation reflects one perspective in a deeply divided moment — a plea for peace in a state grappling with fear, anger, and uncertainty.