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More than 60 chief executives from Minnesota’s largest companies are calling for an immediate easing of tensions after U.S. citizen Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, an incident that has intensified an already fragile standoff between state leaders and the Trump administration.

In a joint statement released by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, executives urged state, local, and federal officials to work together toward practical solutions, warning that the current unrest is disrupting communities, workplaces, and economic activity across the state.

The letter described the situation as a moment of “tragic loss of life and widespread disruption,” emphasizing the need for coordinated leadership to restore stability.

Among the signatories were incoming Target CEO Michael Fiddelke, 3M Chairman and CEO William Brown, Cargill CEO Brian Sikes, and UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley. Major institutions such as Mayo Clinic, General Mills, Medtronic, Hormel, U.S. Bancorp, Xcel Energy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and even the Minnesota Vikings also added their names.

“In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution,” the executives wrote, stressing the importance of allowing families, employees, and businesses to return to normal operations.

Business Community Steps In as Political Tensions Rise

While the letter avoided naming President Donald Trump or other political figures directly, it made clear that Minnesota’s business community is actively engaging behind the scenes with all levels of government.

Executives said they have been in close communication with the governor’s office, the White House, the vice president, and local mayors in an effort to de-escalate the situation and identify workable paths forward.

Corporate leaders across the country have generally avoided public political commentary during Trump’s second term, making this coordinated intervention by Minnesota CEOs notable. The move reflects growing concern that prolonged instability could damage investment confidence and disrupt one of America’s most business-dense states.

Minnesota is home to 17 Fortune 500 companies and ranks fifth nationally in Fortune 500 concentration per capita, making it a critical hub for healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, retail, and financial services.

Economic analysts estimate that large employers headquartered in the state collectively support hundreds of thousands of direct jobs and millions more through supply chains, underscoring why executives are pressing for rapid stabilization.

Federal Enforcement Escalation Fuels Local Standoff

The appeal from business leaders came one day after Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, was killed during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis. He is the second U.S. citizen shot by federal authorities in Minnesota this month.

The Trump administration has significantly increased the federal law enforcement presence in the state as part of a broader immigration crackdown, also citing allegations of widespread welfare fraud. That surge has brought Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol units into direct conflict with local authorities, triggering protests and heightening political tensions.

Earlier this month, another U.S. citizen, Renee Nicole Good, was also killed in a federal operation, deepening public outrage and intensifying scrutiny of enforcement tactics.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has repeatedly called on the administration to withdraw federal officers, arguing that the heavy presence is inflaming tensions rather than resolving them.

At a Sunday press conference, Walz urged the president to reverse course.

“President Trump, you can end this today,” he said. “Pull these folks back, do humane, focused, effective immigration control. You’ve got the support of all of us to do that.”

The administration has rejected those appeals, instead blaming Minnesota’s Democratic leadership for failing to cooperate with federal efforts.

Gregory Bovino, commander of the Border Patrol operation in Minnesota, defended the ongoing actions, stating that immigration enforcement would continue despite the recent tragedy.

Corporate Leaders Warn of Broader Economic Fallout

For Minnesota’s business community, the concern extends beyond immediate public safety. Executives warn that prolonged unrest could disrupt supply chains, deter new investment, and strain workforce morale at a time when many companies are already navigating inflationary pressures, labor shortages, and global uncertainty.

Healthcare systems, manufacturers, and consumer brands headquartered in Minnesota operate extensive national and international networks, meaning instability in the state can ripple far beyond its borders.

Several CEOs privately expressed concern that continued confrontation between state and federal authorities could complicate hiring, delay expansion plans, and weaken Minnesota’s reputation as a stable place to do business.

The joint letter framed the moment as a test of leadership, urging collaboration rather than confrontation.

“There are ways for us to come together to foster progress,” the executives wrote, emphasizing that durable solutions require alignment across political lines.

A Call for Cooperation Amid a Divided Climate

As federal enforcement continues and political rhetoric sharpens, Minnesota’s corporate leaders are positioning themselves as mediators, pressing for calm and coordinated action in hopes of preventing further loss of life and economic damage.

Their message is clear: stability matters not only for public safety, but for the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers and the long-term health of one of America’s most economically significant states.

With national attention now focused on Minnesota, business leaders are urging policymakers to move quickly from confrontation to cooperation, warning that the cost of inaction will be felt far beyond Minneapolis.

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