US businessman Tim Cook looks on during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 20, 2026.
Ludovic Marin | AFP | Getty Images
Apple CEO Tim Cook said he was “heartbroken” by the situation in Minneapolis and called for an easing of tensions in a note to employees this week, CNBC confirmed Wednesday.
“This is a time for deescalation,” Cook wrote in a memo obtained by Bloomberg, which first reported the news. “I believe America is strongest when we live up to our highest ideals, when we treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter who they are or where they’re from, and when we embrace our shared humanity.”
Cook said he had a “good conversation” with President Donald Trump this week to discuss his concerns and expressed appreciation for his “openness to engaging on issues that matter to us all.”
Cook did not directly mention the two fatal shootings by federal agents.
A growing list of leaders and billionaires are speaking out after Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis this month.
Multiple news outlets reported that OpenAI’s Sam Altman said Immigration and Customs Enforcement “is going too far” in a message to employees. Elsewhere, LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman wrote on X this week that “there is politics but humanity should transcend that.”
Many executives have kept quiet on the events unfolding in Minneapolis.
It’s a stark contrast to 2020, when major tech CEOs, including Meta‘s Mark Zuckerberg, spoke out against the death of George Floyd in the Midwest city and committed millions to groups working on racial justice.
The White House screening of the “Melania” documentary on the same day ICU nurse Pretty was killed drew more scrutiny on tech leaders, several of whom attended the private event.
Cook, Amazon‘s Andy Jassy and Advanced Micro Devices‘ Lisa Su were all in attendance on Saturday, according to multiple media outlets.
Apple employees were reportedly angered by Cook’s attendance, according to The Intercept.
WATCH: Federal officials fatally shoot Alex Pretti: Here’s what you need to know
