Fox News host Sean Hannity sparked considerable debate recently after offering commentary that broke from the usual conservative media defense of President Trump’s immigration enforcement, even as his TV show continued attacking Democrats for opposing ICE.
During his Jan. 26 radio broadcast, Hannity voiced criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices, specifically workplace raids. “Is ICE perfect? They’re not,” Hannity said on The Sean Hannity Show. “Do I think going into Home Depots and arresting people is a smart idea? I don’t.”
This marked a notable shift for Hannity, who for years has dismissed warnings about ICE overstepping its bounds. His remarks came amid rising tensions in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after two fatal January shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents. ICU nurse Alex Pretti, 37, was fatally shot by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on Jan. 24, and Renee Good, 37, a mother, was killed by a federal immigration agent on Jan. 7.
On Jan. 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a federal civil rights investigation into Pretti’s death. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the inquiry would review “everything that would shed light on what happened that day and in the surrounding days and weeks.” This probe is separate from the Department of Homeland Security’s internal investigation.
Meanwhile, on his late-January television broadcast, Hannity criticized Democratic leaders who had ramped up their objections to ICE operations, singling out Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Hannity accused these officials of abandoning fundamental American ideals at a time when threats against ICE personnel have surged. He also touched on the polarizing issue of sanctuary cities, where local jurisdictions decline to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Senator Lindsey Graham appeared on Hannity’s Jan. 27 show, echoing the sentiment. He delivered a bleak assessment of sanctuary policies, saying, “You can never have law and order with sanctuary city policies,” and noted he is working with President Trump on legislation to eliminate such policies nationwide.
The administration has used the footage to portray Pretti as aggressive toward law enforcement. However, bystander videos contradicted federal officials’ initial accounts of Pretti’s shooting. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed Pretti had approached officers with a pistol, but multiple videos showed Pretti never drew a weapon and was filming with his phone when agents pepper-sprayed him and grappled him to the ground, according to NPR.
The coverage highlighted Democratic rhetoric that conservatives say has fueled attacks on federal agents. On May 17, 2025, Governor Walz faced intense backlash for calling ICE “Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo” during a University of Minnesota Law School commencement address. DHS countered that such statements have contributed to a rise in assaults on ICE officers.
Hannity’s mixed messaging reflects the broader political complexity. Pretti’s death has united unexpected critics, with some Republicans calling for deeper inquiries and gun-rights supporters questioning why a lawful gun owner was shot by federal agents.
Hannity’s radio program airs nationwide, while his television show broadcasts on Fox News.
The debate continues amid contentious negotiations over DHS funding. Senate Democrats have demanded reforms, including that officers identify themselves and obtain warrants for arrests, while Republicans warn that withholding funding risks a government shutdown.
In Minneapolis, a growing memorial marks the site of Alex Pretti’s shooting, with thousands joining candlelight vigils across the Twin Cities. Protests persist following the two federal agent shootings. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, heavily criticized for his role in the operation, was removed from command and left Minneapolis with other agents.
The Trump administration is ending the immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota that sparked widespread protests and resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens, border chief Tom Homan announced Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
“I recommended, and President Trump agreed, that this surge operation should wrap up,” Homan said at a news conference in Minneapolis. “A major scale-back began earlier this week and will continue into next week.”
According to Homan, the choice to conclude the two-month effort known as “Operation Metro Surge” came after federal, state, and local law enforcement improved their coordination. This shift allows more immigration arrests to happen in jails instead of through street operations. He added that local agencies are now reacting to protests more quickly and consistently.