WASHINGTON, D.C.: With midterm elections looming, many Republicans fear that immigration enforcement by the Trump administration, which saw the killing of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, is becoming a political liability.

Republicans are urging the White House to change course because they believe the recent events have affected the trust deficit between the party and the people, many of whom are Trump supporters.

Meanwhile, the Democrats have promised to block Homeland Security funding unless there are significant changes, leaving Republicans flatfooted.

Many are speaking out after Alex Pretti, 37, was killed on January 24, just weeks after Renee Good, also 37, was fatally shot.

Jason Roe, a Republican political adviser, said the government is no longer controlling the public story. He said Republicans cannot move past what is happening in Minneapolis.

Usually, the party that controls the White House loses seats in Congress during midterm elections. Republicans also tend to do poorly when Trump is not running in the election. This also happened last year in New Jersey and Virginia.

Roe said Democrats are furious and highly motivated to vote, but he does not see the same level of excitement among Republican voters in the polls.

Some Republicans are uncomfortable with how the government is handling law enforcement, but they do not want to criticize Trump directly. Instead, they are focusing their criticism on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Senator Lisa Murkowski said Noem should resign and take responsibility for the confusion and deaths that have happened. She said the country needs clear answers and accountability.

Trump said Noem is doing a good job and will stay in his administration. Democrats say she should be impeached, but they do not have enough power in Congress to do that because Republicans control it.

Immigration is one of Trump's main political issues. In 2024, voters were more willing to accept his strict immigration policies than in earlier elections. Most Republicans still strongly support his immigration actions, according to a January survey by AP and NORC. Senator Thom Tillis, from North Carolina, who also wants Noem replaced, said Trump is putting that support at risk.

These worries have also reached Maine, where a very close Senate race is coming up. Senator Susan Collins, who is running again, said she asked the government to slow down immigration enforcement operations in Maine and Minnesota.

Lawmakers are using the January 31 deadline to pass government funding as a way to pressure for changes. Trump has already signed six of the 12 yearly spending bills, but the Senate still needs to approve six more, including money for Homeland Security.

More Republican senators now say they are open to separating Homeland Security funding from the rest of the budget so it can be debated separately, while passing the other bills first.