Several Republicans have criticized the Trump administration’s response following the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Pretti, an intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen, was shot dead by a federal immigration agent in Minnesota on Saturday during an enforcement operation. His killing was the second fatal shooting by a federal immigration officer in the city this month, following the January 7 death of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during another enforcement action.
In the days that have followed, the Trump administration has faced bipartisan pressure over its immigration enforcement activities. Pretti’s death has led to backlash over the conduct of ICE officers and has sparked protests.
Pretti was shot while filming the activities of ICE officers in Minneapolis. Homeland Security officials said he had a firearm and had resisted immigration officer attempts to disarm him, but eyewitnesses and Pretti’s family have challenged that narrative.
Administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE chief Dan Bovino have faced heavy scrutiny, with Bovino leaving Minneapolis following the backlash. Trump has also sent border czar Tom Homan to the state.
Newsweek has compiled a list of the Republicans who have criticized the Trump administration in the fallout.
The White House has responded to questions about the pushback by referring Newsweek to X posts from a press conference in which press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “President Trump does not want any Americans to lose their lives in the streets of America… He believes what happened on Saturday is a tragedy, but every life is equal to President Trump and that’s why the lives of Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray continue to matter to him… It’s unfortunate that we did not see the same type of sensationalist media coverage over the tragic deaths of those innocent American women… .”
In other comments she said Trump “supports the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding American citizens—absolutely… while Americans have a constitutional right to bear Arms, Americans do not have a constitutional right to impede lawful immigration enforcement operations.”
In a third she said Noem “still has the utmost confidence and trust of @POTUS and she’s continuing to oversee the entire @DHSgov… Border Czar Homan is in a unique position to drop everything and go to Minnesota to continue having these productive conversations with state and local officials.”
Why It Matters
Republicans breaking party ranks to criticize Trump show just how divisive the situation in Minneapolis has been. The backlash presents a political challenge for Trump as he seeks to implement his tough immigration policies while not alienating GOP politicians.
Scott Lucas, who teaches international politics at University College Dublin, told Newsweek that Republican criticism was “already affecting the administration’s response” because “videos put them into a defensive position” as they have suggested Pretti was not brandishing a firearm.
What To Know
A number of Republicans have taken to social media to criticize the administration. Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah said that Noem damaged public confidence by prematurely responding to the Pretti shooting.
“I disagree with Secretary Noem’s premature DHS response, which came before all the facts were known and weakened confidence,” Curtis posted on X.
He added that there should be an independent investigation into the event.
Meanwhile, Chris Madel, a lawyer, dropped out of the Republican race to be the next governor of Minnesota on Monday, citing the shootings of Good and Pretti as factors influencing his decision.
Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz said on his Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast, “Escalating the rhetoric doesn’t help, and it actually loses credibility. And so I would encourage the administration to be more measured, to recognize the tragedy and to say, we don’t want anyone, anyone’s lives, to be lost, and the politicians who are pouring gasoline on this fire, they need to stop.”
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana politician, has called for a full investigation after the killing of Pretti.
“The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing,” the Louisiana senator said in a post on X. “The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.”
Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a frequent Trump critic, wrote on X: “Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence, it’s a Constitutionally protected God-given right, and if you don’t understand this you have no business in law enforcement or government.”
Republican Maine Senator Susan Collins, who could face a difficult reelection campaign, said she was “appalled at the violence in Minneapolis” and called on Congress to pass legislation that would ensure training on de-escalating incidents with protesters.
Republicans, including Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick, Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts, Texas Representative Michael McCaul, former Vice President Mike Pence, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Kansas Senator Jerry Moran have all called for an investigation into the shooting.
Lucas said of the pushback, “Even though it is a minority of the Republicans, Trump folks are feeling a bit of pressure.”
Other Republicans have backed the administration.
Florida Republican Representative Randy Fine called Pretti “an armed seditionist” and said on X: “I stand with ICE as they fight these foreign invaders and their treasonous allies.”
What People Are Saying
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin previously told Newsweek: “Attacks and demonization of ICE are wrong. ICE officers are now facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults.
“Illegal aliens that ICE is deporting broke our nation’s laws. DHS is a law enforcement agency, and it will continue to carry out immigration enforcement for the safety of Americans who have been victimized by rapists, murderers, drug traffickers, and gang members.
“President Trump campaigned on immigration enforcement, the American people voted for it, and Secretary Noem is delivering.
“For illegal aliens in the country, the safest and most efficient option is self-deportation. Through the CBP Home app, illegal aliens can self-deport and receive financial and travel assistance. President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message to illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW.”
What Happens Next
On Monday, Trump dispatched Homan to Minnesota to take charge of ICE operations in the state.
Meanwhile, Minnesota officials continue their investigation into Pretti’s death.
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