Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says the Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the death of Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis resident killed by Border Patrol officers. The Department of Homeland Security also said Friday that the FBI will lead the federal probe. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem first disclosed the shift in which agency was leading the investigation. DHS previously said that Homeland Security Investigations would lead the investigation. The change comes after other videos emerged of an earlier altercation between Pretti and federal immigration officers 11 days before his death.

The bipartisan funding deal President Donald Trump struck with Democrats to prevent a partial government shutdown this weekend appears back on track. Key Republicans pushed back on the agreement Trump struck with Democrats who are demanding new restrictions on federal immigration raids across the country. Under the deal, funding for the Department of Homeland Security would be separated from a broad government spending bill and give Congress two weeks to debate the issue. But GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham and others warned that their party was yielding too much to Democrats. Even if the Senate wraps up its work Friday, the House is not due back until Monday, meaning there could be a temporary shutdown over the weekend.

President Donald Trump's border czar says immigration enforcement could reduce the number of officers in Minnesota. Tom Homan suggested during a news conference Thursday that a drawdown could happen, but only after "cooperation" from state officials. Trump sent Homan to Minnesota following last weekend's fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti. Homan doubled down on the need for local jails to alert Immigration and Customs Enforcement to inmates who are eligible to be deported. He vowed to stay until the "problem's gone," but he seemed to acknowledge missteps while warning protesters they could face consequences if they interfere with federal officers.

Democrats voted to block legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies Thursday as they continued to negotiate with Republicans and the White House on new restrictions for President Donald Trump's surge of immigration enforcement. Thursday's test vote came as Democrats have threatened a partial government shutdown when money runs out on Friday. But Trump said just ahead of the vote that "we don't want a shutdown" and the two sides were discussing a possible agreement to separate Homeland Security funding from the rest of the legislation and fund it for a short time.

The Justice Department has charged a man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at an event in Minneapolis. The man arrested for Tuesday's attack, Anthony Kazmierczak, faces a charge of forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating Omar. Authorities determined the substance was water and apple cider vinegar. Kazmierczak has a criminal history and has made online posts supportive of President Donald Trump. Kazmierczak appeared briefly in federal court Thursday afternoon. His attorney said her client was unmedicated at the time of the incident. The judge ordered him to remain in custody and told officials he needs to see a nurse when he is transferred to jail.

A partial government shutdown is looming at week's end. And now Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has laid out a list of demands for the Department of Homeland Security as the Senate heads toward a crucial Thursday vote on whether to move forward with the spending legislation that funds DHS and a swath of other government agencies. Schumer says Democrats are asking the White House for an enforceable code of conduct for federal agents conducting immigration arrests and a requirement that they identify themselves to the public. Republicans will need Democratic votes to keep the government open when funding runs out at midnight Friday.

The Federal Reserve pushed the pause button on its interest rate cuts Wednesday, leaving its key rate unchanged at about 3.6% after lowering it three times last year. With the economy growing at a healthy pace and no signs of deterioration in hiring, Fed officials likely see little reason to rush any further rate cuts. While most policymakers do expect to reduce borrowing costs further this year, many want to see evidence that stubbornly-elevated inflation is moving closer to the central bank's target of 2%. According to the Fed's preferred measure, inflation was 2.8% in November, slightly higher than a year ago.

The search warrant FBI served at Fulton County elections office near Atlanta on Wednesday seeks records tied to the 2020 election, a county spokesperson said. Fulton spokeswoman Jessica Corbitt-Dominguez declined to comment further, saying the search was still underway. declined to comment further, saying the search was still underway. An FBI spokesperson confirmed the search but also declined to provide any additional information. The search comes as the FBI under the leadership of Director Kash Patel has moved quickly to pursue the political grievances of President Donald Trump, including by working with the Justice Department to investigate multiple perceived adversaries of the Republican commander-in-chief.