Trump Welcomes ‘Honorable’ Investigation Into Minnesota ICE Shooting
1 day ago
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he wants a “very honorable and honest investigation” into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37‑year‑old Minneapolis man killed by federal immigration agents during an enforcement operation this month. Trump described the incident as “very sad” and said he will be “watching over” the review, signaling an unusually public focus on the inquiry amid rising controversy.
Pretti, an ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, was shot in Minneapolis during a federal immigration operation that has already drawn intense national scrutiny and protests. Video evidence released after the killing contradicted initial claims by some administration officials that Pretti posed an imminent threat to officers, prompting backlash from civil rights groups and lawmakers across the political spectrum.
In his remarks, Trump appeared to distance himself from earlier statements by senior aides — including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who referred to Pretti as an “assassin” — and rejected that characterization when asked directly. The president emphasized his desire for transparency and insisted the investigation should be thorough and credible.
The call for an “honorable” investigation comes as bipartisan criticism mounts over the aggressive use of federal agents in Minneapolis, where a second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen occurred earlier this month.
Local officials and state leaders have demanded independent inquiries and greater accountability in the enforcement tactics.
Trump’s comments follow pressure from both Democrats and some Republicans for clearer answers about the operation and its oversight. As political tensions rise ahead of the midterm elections, the president’s response reflects an effort to quell public outcry while maintaining support for federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Pretti, an ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, was shot in Minneapolis during a federal immigration operation that has already drawn intense national scrutiny and protests. Video evidence released after the killing contradicted initial claims by some administration officials that Pretti posed an imminent threat to officers, prompting backlash from civil rights groups and lawmakers across the political spectrum.
In his remarks, Trump appeared to distance himself from earlier statements by senior aides — including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who referred to Pretti as an “assassin” — and rejected that characterization when asked directly. The president emphasized his desire for transparency and insisted the investigation should be thorough and credible.
The call for an “honorable” investigation comes as bipartisan criticism mounts over the aggressive use of federal agents in Minneapolis, where a second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen occurred earlier this month.
Local officials and state leaders have demanded independent inquiries and greater accountability in the enforcement tactics.
Trump’s comments follow pressure from both Democrats and some Republicans for clearer answers about the operation and its oversight. As political tensions rise ahead of the midterm elections, the president’s response reflects an effort to quell public outcry while maintaining support for federal immigration enforcement efforts.
