One day after bystander video contradicted federal claims in the January 24 fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, unlikely allies from left and right—including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Marjorie Taylor Greene—condemned the Trump administration's defense, accusing it of hypocrisy on Second Amendment rights amid the ongoing immigration crackdown.
As detailed in initial coverage, Alex Pretti was legally carrying a concealed 9mm handgun with a valid Minnesota permit but was not brandishing it when agents tackled him and fired multiple shots, per bystander footage. Federal officials' initial narrative of violent resistance has unraveled, fueling outrage.
Trump administration figures downplayed concerns. Stephen Miller called Pretti an 'assassin' aiming to murder agents, while DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled it 'domestic terrorism.' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABC, 'I am sorry that this gentleman is dead, but he did bring a nine-millimeter semiautomatic weapon.' FBI Director Kash Patel added on Fox News, 'No one who wants to be peaceful shows up at a protest with a firearm that is loaded with two full magazines.'
Criticism united partisans. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rebuked Vice President JD Vance: 'You are defending the open killing of everyday Americans for exercising their constitutional rights.' Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene stated, 'Legally carrying a firearm is not the same as brandishing a firearm. I support Americans’ 1st and 4th Amendment rights.' The NRA blamed Gov. Tim Walz for unrest and challenged lethal force justifications.
Commentators like Rod Dreher and Michael Shellenberger recognized Pretti's rights but called his armed presence unwise. Former Rep. Justin Amash quipped, 'We’re now finding out which Republicans were simply cosplaying as Second Amendment defenders.'
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey renewed calls to withdraw militarized ICE forces. The incident underscores friction between the administration's immigration enforcement and gun rights rhetoric, amplifying protests and investigation demands.
