A second fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis has thrust U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown deeper into the national political spotlight, forcing Republicans to defend the administration's hard-line tactics while motivating Democrats, who see it as an urgent election-year issue.

Federal officers have killed two U.S. citizens in the city this month – among them ICU nurse Alex Pretti on Saturday – during clashes with protesters angered by the administration's sweeping enforcement surge.

The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate, Chuck Schumer, said his party would vote against funding legislation that includes money for the Homeland Security Department that oversees ICE, the federal immigration agency. Congress faces a January 30 deadline to fund the government or risk a partial government shutdown.

The Trump administration has launched its most ambitious immigration operation to date in Minneapolis, sparking weeks of protests by residents and violent altercations with federal agents, including two shooting deaths – Renee Good on January 7 and Pretti this weekend.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton on Sunday decried "horrible scenes" in Minneapolis, urging Americans to protest what he called unacceptable government action.

"It is up to all of us who believe in the promise of American democracy to stand up, speak out, and show that our nation still belongs to We the People," Clinton said, warning that Trump administration officials have "lied to us" about the fatal encounters and used increasingly aggressive tactics in their immigration crackdown.

Echoing Clinton, former U.S. president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama issued a strong statement on Sunday, saying the second Minneapolis killing exemplified Trump's "assault" on American values.

"It should be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault," they said in a joint statement.

Trump provocatively attributed the deaths to Minnesota's Democratic elected officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, writing on his Truth Social platform: "Democrat run Sanctuary Cities and States are REFUSING to cooperate with ICE."

"Tragically, two American Citizens have lost their lives as a result of this Democrat ensued chaos," he added.

Gun rights advocates push back

While Republicans have mostly backed the crackdown, Saturday's shooting of a legally armed U.S. citizen raises particular political risks for a party that sees itself as the home of gun rights supporters.

Gun rights groups have already expressed alarm at efforts by the administration to blame Pretti for bringing a weapon to a protest, even though he was legally entitled to do that.

"Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms, including while attending protests," the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus said in a statement.

Recent Reuters polling indicates that Democratic voters do not support Trump's enforcement tactics, and even a significant slice of Trump's Republican backers – 39 percent – are wary of the approach, saying harm should be minimized even if this means fewer immigration-related arrests.

Among independents, 73 percent said authorities should prioritize reducing harm, while 19 percent said they should be willing to risk causing serious injury or death in pursuit of arrests.

"The rest of the country needs to know that what's happening here could happen everywhere," said protester Eric Gray, a 50-year-old Minneapolis resident.

"I think that Minnesota is turning out to be the starting point, or the litmus test."

Some republicans question ice tactics

Viral videos of clashes between heavily armed masked federal immigration agents in tactical gear and civilians have caused unease among Republican lawmakers, many of whom are already confronting voter anger over rising prices ahead of November's congressional midterms.

Republican lawmakers approved a massive cash infusion into ICE last year, but after the two shooting deaths in Minnesota, some are demanding answers from the Trump administration.

In statements, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy said the Minneapolis shooting was "incredibly disturbing" and "the credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake." Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said Saturday's death should raise "serious questions" about the adequacy of immigration-enforcement training.

In the House, the Homeland Security Committee requested testimony from ICE officials on their operation.

"It's critically important that the American people and Congress be given a better understanding of how immigration enforcement is being handled," Republican Representative Michael Baumgartner of Washington said, welcoming the request.

Republican Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt echoed the concerns, telling CNN on Sunday that Americans were watching fellow citizens being shot on television and that "federal tactics and accountability" had become a growing concern for voters.

Democrats have seized on the Minneapolis ICE operation and the aggressive federal tactics to accuse the Trump administration of government overreach – a charge that could resonate with both Democrats and independents in the coming election.

"Trump's ICE is out of control and poses a grave domestic threat. Senate Democrats are right to do whatever they can to try and rein it in," said Tre Easton, Democratic policy strategist at the Searchlight Institute, which advises Democratic candidates.

(With input from Reuters)