Public support for Donald Trump’s flagship immigration policies has cratered in the wake of lethal violence in Minnesota. A new NBC poll reveals that nearly half of American adults now strongly disapprove of the administration’s border strategy following the shooting deaths of two citizens by federal agents.

The data paints a picture of a nation recoiling from the brutality witnessed in Minneapolis. The approval ratings, which were once the bedrock of the President’s political capital, have eroded significantly. The disapproval figure has surged to 49 percent, a stark jump from the 34 percent recorded just last April. This double-digit swing suggests that the administration`s hardline tactics, once viewed by supporters as necessary enforcement, are now being perceived as chaotic and excessive force.

The Minneapolis Catalyst

The turning point lies in the tragic events involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Pretti, an intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, was shot dead in an incident that the administration—specifically Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—immediately labeled as "domestic terrorism." However, the public narrative has shifted violently against the government`s account.

Pollsters attribute the sharp decline directly to these deaths. "It is really the chaos of Minnesota that has done it," noted NBC elections analyst Marc Trussler. Unlike previous controversies that caused minor ripples, the killing of a healthcare worker and another citizen has pierced the partisan veil. The administration`s attempt to vilify the victims appears to have backfired, alienating independent voters and even softening the resolve of the Republican base.

• The Numbers: 60 percent of respondents disapproved of the immigration policy in the week following Pretti`s death.
• The Trend: Overall support for Trump has dipped to 39 percent, mirroring the drop in his signature policy area.
• The Impact: The shift is most pronounced among suburban voters, a demographic critical for electoral success.

A Strategy Under Fire

Despite the public outcry, the White House has shown no signs of recalibration. Officials continue to double down on aggressive enforcement protocols, framing the Minnesota incidents as necessary collateral in a broader war on lawlessness. This disconnect between administration rhetoric and public sentiment is widening a dangerous credibility gap. The "domestic terrorist" label applied to Good and Pretti has been met with skepticism and anger, particularly given Pretti`s service record as a VA nurse.

The political implications are severe. Immigration was intended to be the ace in the hole for the Trump campaign, a unifying rallying cry. Instead, it has become a liability. The footage and reports emerging from Minneapolis have stripped the policy of its abstract nature and replaced it with visceral images of violence against citizens. The administration is now fighting a two-front war: one on the border, and one for the hearts and minds of an increasingly horrified electorate.

As the investigation into the shootings continues, the pressure on the White House will only intensify. The poll numbers are a warning siren that the strategy of "enforcement at any cost" has reached a breaking point with the American people.