Trump, Vance Respond
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agents’ actions, saying Pretti was not acting as a peaceful protester.
“He wasn’t there to peacefully protest. He was there to perpetuate violence,” Noem said, though she did not clarify whether Pretti brandished a weapon.
President Donald Trump accused local leaders of inflaming unrest.
“The Mayor and the Governor are inciting Insurrection, with their pompous, dangerous, and arrogant rhetoric,” Trump wrote on social media.
Vice President JD Vance, who visited Minneapolis earlier in the week, accused local leaders of refusing to provide adequate police support to federal agents. Walz rejected that claim, saying the immigration crackdown has strained local law enforcement resources.
Calls to End Federal Operation
Local and state officials demanded an immediate halt to federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
“How many more residents, how many more Americans need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at a press conference.
The shooting occurred one day after more than 10,000 people marched through Minneapolis streets in freezing temperatures to protest federal immigration raids.
Residents had already voiced anger over a series of recent incidents, including the detention of U.S. citizens, the arrest of schoolchildren, and the earlier killing of Renee Good.
State officials said their investigation is ongoing as public pressure mounts for transparency and accountability.
