Republican lawmakers are starting to break with the Trump administration over its immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, as the party scrambles to respond to growing public anger after two US citizens were killed by federal agents.
But even as some Republicans in Washington speak out against the fatal shootings, they've avoided directly criticising President Donald Trump or his broader immigration agenda.
The emerging messaging on Minneapolis points to the party's main dilemma heading into the midterm elections: whether and how to distance itself from the biggest controversies of Trump's second term, while running on his overall record on immigration and other issues - a record that's popular on the right, and that most Republicans helped push through Congress.
So far, Republicans have focused criticism on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE - the agency at the forefront of the Minneapolis operation - and other agencies within the Department of Homeland Security taking part.
But at the same time, Republicans have backed Trump's immigration plans since his return to the White House, without highlighting their support.
...The escalating criticisms came as Trump adjusted his rhetoric following the backlash. After the shooting, Trump initially referred to the victim as a 'gunman,' but has since softened his stance, attempting to de-escalate tensions in the affected area. The response from the Republican Party is pivotal as it navigates through the complexities of immigration enforcement against the backdrop of responsibility and public sentiment.
