Leaders from 3M, Best Buy, Target among those requesting 'swift and durable solution' after fatal shootings by ICE
A broad coalition of Minnesota’s corporate leaders is urging political leaders at every level to step back from confrontation and work together on “real solutions” following what they describe as “yesterday’s tragic news.”
In an open letter released on Jan. 25, 2026, more than 60 CEOs and top executives from some of the state’s largest employers — including 3M, Target, UnitedHealth Group, General Mills, Ecolab, Medtronic, Mayo Clinic, U.S. Bancorp and the state’s major professional sports franchises — appealed for an immediate de‑escalation of tensions and renewed focus on long‑term stability for Minnesota families, workers and businesses.
On Jan. 24, U.S. citizen Alex Pretti was shot and killed by officers in Minnesota working for the federal government in its immigration operations in the state. This followed the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Renee Good on Jan. 7, also in Minnesota. Both victims were bystanders who were not targets of federal operations.
‘Call for peace and focused cooperation’
The letter, published by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Minnesota Business Partnership and economic development group Greater MSP, frames the business community as a behind‑the‑scenes problem‑solver that has been working with elected officials for weeks amid mounting unrest and disruption across the state.
Executives say they have been in “close communication” with the Governor, the White House, the Vice President and local mayors, and insist there are ways for the state to “come together to foster progress” despite deep divisions and public anger.
While the letter does not detail the specific incident that prompted the appeal, it makes clear that recent events have led to both “widespread disruption” and “tragic loss of life":
“We have been working for generations to build a strong and vibrant state here in Minnesota and will do so in the months and years ahead with equal and even greater commitment.
“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 that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future.”
Companies include 3M, Best Buy, Target
The signatories are:
- 3M – William Brown, Chairman and CEO
- Allianz Life Insurance Company – Jasmine Jirele, President and CEO
- Allina – Lisa Shannon, President and CEO, Tim Welsh, Board Chair
- Ameriprise Financial – James Cracchiolo, Chairman and CEO
- Anchor Paper – Brooke Lee, CEO
- Andersen Corporation – Chris Galvin, Chairman and CEO
- APi Group – Russell Becker, CEO and President
- Best Buy – Corie Barry, CEO
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota – Dana Erickson, President and CEO
- Boston Scientific – Joseph Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President and Group President, Cardiology
- Cargill – Brian Sikes, Board Chair and CEO
- Carlson – Scott Gage, Chair
- CentraCare Health – Kenneth Holmen, M.D., President and CEO
- C.H. Robinson – Dave Bozeman, President and CEO
- CHS – Jay Debertin, President and CEO
- Children’s Minnesota – Emily Chapman, M.D., CEO
- Delta Dental of Minnesota – Rodney Young, CEO
- Deluxe Corporation – Barry McCarthy, President and CEO
- Donaldson Company, Inc. – Tod Carpenter, Chairman, President and CEO
- ECMC Group – Dan Fisher, CEO
- Ecolab – Christophe Beck, Chairman and CEO
- Essentia Health – Dr. David Herman, CEO
- Fairview Health Services – James Hereford, President and CEO
- Faribault Mill – Ross Widmoyer, President and CEO
- Gardner Builders – Bob Gardner, Founder and CEO
- General Mills – Jeff Harmening, Chairman and CEO
- Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare – Barbara Joers, President and CEO
- Greater MSP – Peter Frosch, CEO
- Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation – Dr. Joseph Lee, President and CEO
- HealthPartners – Andrea Walsh, President and CEO
- Hormel – Jeff Ettinger, Interim CEO
- Kraus-Anderson Companies, Inc. – Peter J. Diessner, CEO
- Land O’Lakes – Beth Ford, President and CEO
- Liberty Diversified International – Mike Fiterman, Chairman
- Marsden Holding – Guy Mingo, President and CEO
- Mayo Clinic – Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., President and CEO
- Medica – Lisa Erickson, President and CEO
- Medtronic – Geoff Martha, CEO and Chairman
- Minnesota Business Partnership – Kurt Zellers, CEO
- Minnesota Chamber of Commerce – Doug Loon, President and CEO
- Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx – On behalf of the entire organization
- Minnesota Twins – On behalf of the entire organization
- Minnesota United FC – Shari Ballard, CEO
- Minnesota Vikings – On behalf of the entire organization
- Minnesota Wild – On behalf of the entire organization
- Mortenson – David Mortenson, Chairperson
- New Horizon Academy – Chad Dunkley, CEO
- nVent – Beth Wozniak, Chair and CEO
- Patterson Companies – Robert Rajalingam, CEO
- Pentair – John L. Stauch, President and CEO
- Piper Sandler – Chad Abraham, Chairman and CEO
- Pohlad Companies – On behalf of the Pohlad organizations
- Prime Therapeutics – Mostafa Kamal, President and CEO
- Red Wing Shoes – Allison Gettings, President and CEO
- Ryan Companies US, Inc. – Brian Murray, CEO
- Securian Financial Group – Chris Hilger, Chairman, President and CEO
- Sleep Number – Linda Findley, President and CEO
- SPS Commerce – Chad Collins, CEO
- Target – Michael Fiddelke, Incoming CEO
- Tennant Company – Dave Huml
- Thrivent – Teresa Rasmussen, President and CEO
- The Toro Company – Rick Olson, Chairman and CEO
- UnitedHealth Group – Stephen J. Hemsley, CEO
- U.S. Bancorp – Gunjan Kedia, CEO
- Winnebago Industries – Michael Happe, President and CEO
- Xcel Energy – Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO
However, several commenters on Reddit criticized the tone and content of the letter:
“Instead of saying, ‘These murders and abusive tactics by ICE in MN and other states must be stopped by Trump’s government,’ they are ‘calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,’” said “Webgardener” on Reddit.
“You can’t work with an authoritarian government. An obvious way to say they have no spine whatsoever. That’s a really pathetic response.”
