Republicans call for investigation after federal agents kill Minneapolis man
A growing number of Republicans are pushing for an investigation into the tactics federal immigration authorities are using in Minnesota after ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed over the weekend.
Several videos from Saturday’s incident showed the 37-year-old man holding his phone in one hand while filming Border Patrol activity. When Pretti tried to help a female observer who had been pushed by a federal agent, several more agents attacked him with pepper spray and knocked him to the ground. At least one officer repeatedly shot Pretti, killing him and causing more chaos.
“This is a true tragedy. I think the deaths of Americans, what we’re seeing on television, are causing deep concerns about federal tactics and accountability. Americans don’t like what they’re seeing right now,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
“What’s the end game? What’s the solution? And, you know, we believe in federalism and states’ rights, and no one likes the feds coming into their state,” he added. “So what’s the goal now? Deport all non-US citizens? I don’t think that’s what Americans want.”
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Trump administration officials began spreading misinformation about Pretti almost immediately after his murder, including that he “reacted violently” after “brandishing” a firearm. While Pretti was a legal gun owner with a permit to carry (and had a pistol concealed in his holster), the video showed that he was not brandishing a firearm. And officers disarmed Pretti before he was shot and killed.
Some Republicans are now calling for a deeper investigation into the incident.
“There must be a thorough and impartial investigation into yesterday’s shooting in Minneapolis, which is the basic standard that law enforcement and the American people expect after any officer-involved shooting,” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) posted on X.
“Any administration official who rushes to judgment and attempts to shut down an investigation before it begins is doing a disservice to the nation and President Trump’s legacy,” Tillis added.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said the events in Minneapolis were disturbing but called for a joint investigation.
“The credibility of ICE and DHS is at stake,” Cassidy posted on X. “There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.”
The Trump administration’s misinformation about Pretti’s death has even sparked concern among conservative gun rights groups. In a post on X, the National Rifle Association called for an investigation into the fatal violence officers deployed against Pretti.
“Responsible public voices should expect a full investigation, not make generalizations or demonize law-abiding citizens,” the NRA wrote.
According to local and state authorities, the federal government is refusing to cooperate with any investigation. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Sunday that he has not yet received any official information about Pretti’s death, adding that federal agents blocked Minnesota investigators from accessing the crime scene to gather evidence.
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Given that Pretti’s murder came just weeks after federal agents in Minneapolis killed 37-year-old poet and mother Renee Good, polls show that the majority of the American public does not support the tactics used by ICE. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) told Bill Maher on Friday that Trump’s immigration enforcement is “on par with toenail fungus.”
“If I were President Trump, I would almost think, ‘Okay, if the mayor and the governor are going to put our ICE officers in harm’s way, there’s a chance of losing more innocent lives,’” Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) told Maria Bartiromo on News. “Then maybe we’ll go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide.”
During his Sunday press conference, Gov. Tim Walz (D) attempted to appeal to Americans on both sides of the aisle, emphasizing that the federal government’s behavior in Minnesota should concern everyone.
“I don’t care if you’re a conservative and you fly the Donald Trump flag, you’re a ‘Don’t tread on me’ libertarian, you’re an American Democratic Socialist — this is a turning point, America,” Walz said. “If we can’t all agree to defame an American citizen and tarnish everything he stands for and ask us not to believe what we saw? I don’t know what else to tell you.”