ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump defended aggressive enforcement tactics by immigration agents Tuesday, acknowledging officers can be excessively forceful but justifyed their actions due to the dangers involved.

"Sometimes ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is going to be too rough with somebody ... they're dealing with rough people, they're going to make a mistake. Sometimes it can happen terribly," Trump told reporters.

He expressed regret for the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, 37, by an ICE agent in Minnesota, calling it "a tragedy" and "a horrible thing." The death of the American mother sparked widespread backlash and demands for investigations at local, state and federal levels, turning the city of Minneapolis into a flashpoint in the immigration enforcement debate.

Trump called immigration agents "patriots" performing a "dangerous job" involving "rough, rough people" and weapons, complaining they face abuse despite their service.

Minnesota allegations

The US president said authorities arrested 10,000 criminals in Minnesota, describing them as "serious" offenders including "murderers and drug dealers" and "brutal killers."

Trump alleged at least $19 billion has gone missing in the state, claiming the funds were "given to a large degree" to Somalis who "have taken it."

The accusations stem from unproven claims by a right-wing influencer who alleged fraud related to publicly-subsidized daycare centers among Minneapolis's Somali residents.

He attacked Somalia as "not even a country" and "just about the worst in the world" with no government and police.

Political attacks

Trump specifically targeted US Rep. Ilhan Omar, alleging she is worth $30 million and calling her "a crooked congressman," adding: "I can't stand her."

He also claimed Minnesota's elections are "totally corrupt" and he won the state "all three times," calling it "a rigged state" where "the Somalians vote as one group, even if they're not citizens" delivering 600,000 votes against him.