Obama Condemns Trump Administration After Minneapolis Shooting of Alex Pretti
On the morning of January 24, 2026, in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and intensive care unit (ICU) nurse.
Was fatally shot by federal agents deployed as part of a large immigration enforcement operation. Pretti, who worked at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Was legally armed and held a Minnesota concealed‑carry permit, according to local police. What unfolded that morning is now the subject of intense public scrutiny, multiple investigations, and widespread protests.
The Confrontation
Shortly before his death, Pretti was among a group of observers and community members recording and watching the actions of immigration agents — including members of U.S. Border Patrol and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) — who were executing enforcement actions in south Minneapolis.
Bystander video and independent analyses show that:
Pretti was holding only his phone in his hand as he filmed the federal agents.
At one point he appears to intervene as a woman was pushed to the ground by an agent.
Officers sprayed him with a chemical agent, tackled him to the ground, and restrained him.
According to independent reporting, an agent removed Pretti’s holstered firearm from his waistband while he was restrained, and seconds later shots were fired.
Federal officials initially reported that Pretti “approached officers with a handgun” and that two federal agents fired their weapons in response to what they perceived as a threat.
However, the publicly available video evidence and multiple witness statements clearly show Pretti did not brandish a weapon, and that he was not pointing it at officers at the time he was shot.
Federal and State Responses
Homeland Security officials have stated that internal reviews are underway, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the FBI.
Meanwhile, the State of Minnesota obtained a temporary restraining order requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies to preserve all evidence related to the shooting, after state investigators were blocked from accessing the scene.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have publicly condemned the incident and called for a reduction in the federal enforcement presence.
Remembering Alex Pretti — Family and Community Tribute
In their first public statement following the shooting, Pretti’s family described themselves as both “heartbroken and angry.”
They rejected the federal portrayal of the events, calling portions of the official narrative “sickening lies.” The family emphasized that Pretti was not threatening anyone but was present as a concerned citizen and community member when he was killed.
A Life of Service
Pretti’s loved ones and colleagues shared that he was known as:
A compassionate ICU nurse, dedicated to caring for others, particularly veterans at the Minneapolis VA hospital.
A kindhearted individual who cared deeply for family, friends, and his community.
Someone who was motivated to take part in peaceful protests against policies he felt were unjust and harmful.
His father told reporters that Pretti wanted to “make a difference in this world,” describing his son as someone with a compassionate spirit and deep empathy for others.
National Political Reaction and Controversy
The killing of Alex Pretti has ignited national outrage and political debate across the United States.
Former President Barack Obama’s Statement
In a rare and sharp public rebuke, former President Barack Obama condemned the shooting as a “heartbreaking tragedy” and criticized current federal law enforcement practices and policies.
He warned that such actions threaten core American values and urged de‑escalation and cooperation with local authorities. (Your original summary of Obama’s remarks aligns with this context.)
Other National Leaders Respond
President Joe Biden also released a statement denouncing the shooting, characterizing the targeting of U.S. citizens by federal agents as a betrayal of American principles and demanding transparent investigations.
Lawmakers from both parties have called for deeper investigation and accountability.
President Trump’s Position
President Donald Trump acknowledged the tragedy but emphasized support for federal immigration enforcers.
He publicly criticized Pretti for carrying a firearm, even though Minnesota law permitted it, and maintained that immigration operations were necessary.
This stance, however, drew disagreement from prominent gun rights organizations, which noted Pretti’s lawful ownership of the weapon and contested the administration’s framing of the incident.
Public Outcry and Protests
Following the shooting, demonstrations erupted in Minneapolis and spread to cities across the United States.
Protesters have called for:
Federal agents to leave Minnesota.
Full and impartial investigations of the events.
Accountability for those responsible.
Business leaders, civil rights groups, unions, and public figures have voiced concerns about the use of force, the impact of federal enforcement operations on community safety, and the broader implications for civil liberties.
What This Means Going Forward
The death of Alex Pretti has become more than a single tragic incident; it has galvanized public debate over:
The scope and tactics of federal immigration enforcement in U.S. cities.
The balance between law enforcement authority and community rights.
Transparency and accountability in officer‑involved shootings.
The role of lawful civilian observers during enforcement operations.
As investigations continue — including federal reviews and state legal actions to preserve evidence — communities and leaders nationwide are watching closely.
Public demands for clarity, justice, and reform have only intensified in the days after the shooting.