President Trump Confirms Federal Review of Minneapolis Shooting Incident
United States President Donald Trump has publicly confirmed that his administration is conducting a comprehensive review of the Minneapolis shooting that resulted in the death of 37-year-old nurse Alex J. Pretti. The incident occurred when a U.S. Border Patrol agent fired fatal shots at Pretti, who was filming federal officers on a Minneapolis street during an immigration operation.
Details of the Fatal Encounter
Alex J. Pretti, an experienced ICU nurse, was shot and killed by a federal agent on January 24. The Border Patrol operation was specifically targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, an illegal immigrant with a documented criminal history that includes charges of domestic assault for intentional conflict bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, President Trump addressed the growing questions surrounding the incident but refrained from confirming whether the agent's actions were appropriate. "We're looking, we're reviewing everything and will come out with a determination," Trump stated, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
President Trump's Comments on the Shooting
Expressing his general disapproval of such violent incidents, Trump remarked, "I don't like any shooting. I don't like it." He also noted that Pretti was carrying "a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines... That doesn't play good either," suggesting this detail complicates public perception of the event.
The president connected the federal presence in Minnesota to what he described as a significant welfare-fraud scandal in the state, arguing that robust immigration enforcement is necessary to address broader systemic abuses. "It's the biggest fraud anyone has seen," Trump declared, framing the operation within larger policy objectives.
Second Fatal Incident in Minneapolis
This shooting marks the second death resulting from confrontations between federal immigration officers and civilians in Minneapolis within a short period. On January 7, Renee Good was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a separate operation.
That earlier incident sparked widespread protests and intensified scrutiny of ICE's role in domestic law enforcement activities, highlighting ongoing tensions between federal agencies and local communities.
Administration's Stance and Future Plans
Regarding the continued federal presence in Minnesota, Trump indicated that agents would eventually depart but provided no specific timeline. "At some point, we will leave. We've done, they've done a phenomenal job," he said, adding that "We'll leave a different group of people there for the financial fraud."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the administration's position, stressing the importance of inter-agency cooperation. "Nobody, including President Trump, wants to see people get shot or hurt," Leavitt stated, urging officials to collaborate more effectively with the administration in addressing undocumented individuals living in the country illegally.
The Minneapolis shooting continues to generate significant public and political debate about immigration enforcement methods, federal agent conduct, and community safety protocols.
