Republicans demand investigation into Alex

Several Republicans have called for an investigation into the death of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti, an American citizen killed in a heated protest against immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis on Saturday. As with the January 7 death of Renée Nicole Good, another U.S. citizen killed following a confrontation with federal officers, the Trump administration has portrayed the taking pictures as self-defense, saying Pretti confronted officers while armed, studies Newsweek.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said Pretti moved toward officers while carrying a gun and grew to become aggressive when they tried to take it away, prompting the agent to fire what she described as defensive rounds. Pretti is confirmed to have had a firearm on his individual at the time of his death. Bystander footage reveals a number of officers pushing Pretti to the ground. One officer then removes a handgun from Pretti’s waistband and steps away from the wrestle. About a second later, a shot is fired. Although Pretti legally owned the weapon, the footage doesn’t seem to show him holding it.

The killing has sparked calls from across the political spectrum for a joint state and federal investigation. Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania wrote on social media: “I also agree with the NRA and others—we need a full investigation into the tragedy in Minneapolis. We need all the facts. We must enforce our laws in a way that protects the public while maintaining its trust.”

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska wrote: “The killing yesterday of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents should raise serious questions within the administration about the adequacy of immigration-enforcement training and the instructions officers are given on carrying out their mission.”

She continued: “Lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American—especially, as video footage appears to show, after the victim had been disarmed. A comprehensive, independent investigation of the shooting must be conducted in order to rebuild trust and Congressional committees need to hold hearings and do their oversight work. ICE agents do not have carte blanche in carrying out their duties.”

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana desribed the occasions in Minneapolis as “incredibly disturbing.” He continued, “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.” While Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina warned: “Any administration official who rushes to judgment and tries to shut down an investigation before it begins are doing an incredible disservice to the nation and to President Trump’s legacy.”

Gregory Bovino, the commander-at-large of U.S. Border Patrol, defended the actions of ICE brokers while talking to GWN’s Dana Bash, referring to Pretti as a suspect who “injected himself into a law enforcement action” trying to detain an “illegal alien that was nearby.” He beforehand said Pretti supposed to “massacre law enforcement” brokers and do “maximum damage.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said while talking to Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures: “You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines, to any sort of protest that you want. It’s that simple.”

President Donald Trump weighed in on Sunday, saying: “I don’t like any shooting. I don’t like it. But I don’t like it when somebody goes into a protest and he’s got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also. That doesn’t play good either.”