A well-known conservative television host has publicly questioned the Trump administration’s handling of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, urging caution over how the incident has been described.
The host criticized the early characterization of Pretti as a domestic terrorist, saying there is no clear evidence supporting claims that he intended to carry out violence against police officers. He warned that moving too quickly to define the situation could undermine public trust, emphasizing that the case requires a careful, fact-based review.
He also pointed to what he sees as inconsistency in conservative rhetoric regarding firearms at protests. Referencing previous national debates about lawful gun possession, he questioned why legally carrying a weapon had once been defended by many on the right but is now being framed as inherently threatening.
Minnesota permits concealed carry with a license, and Pretti’s family has confirmed he legally owned a handgun and had a valid permit.
Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, was shot and killed during protests against immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Videos recorded by bystanders appear to show him holding a phone at the moment he was shot, with no visible weapon in his hands.
However, the Department of Homeland Security has offered a different account. In a public statement, the agency said Pretti approached officers with a loaded 9 mm handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him. Officials said an agent fired in self-defense out of concern for the safety of officers at the scene.
The incident follows another fatal shooting by immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year, increasing scrutiny over federal enforcement actions in the city.
Pretti’s father described his son as compassionate and deeply concerned about the impact of immigration operations on communities. He said his son had been troubled by events unfolding locally and nationally.
Minnesota officials have filed a lawsuit seeking to block federal authorities from destroying or altering potential evidence tied to the case. Governor Tim Walz has stated that state leaders do not believe federal agencies should oversee the investigation.
President Donald Trump has defended the agents involved, stating that the firearm recovered from Pretti was loaded and questioning why local police were not deployed instead.
As conflicting narratives continue to surface, the case has fueled debate over use-of-force policies, gun rights at demonstrations and the transparency of federal investigations.