Trump Forced to Intervene as DHS Response to Alex Pretti Shooting Sparks Outrage
President Donald Trump acknowledged he needed to alter the federal approach to immigration enforcement in Minneapolis following widespread public anger over the official reaction to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, according to a detailed report. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, saw Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, beaten and shot dead by Customs and Border Protection officers after a confrontation.
Controversial Claims and Escalating Tensions
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem swiftly asserted that Pretti was armed and alleged he intended to commit an act of "domestic terrorism." This was followed by a press conference where CBP Commander Greg Bovino claimed the deceased aimed to inflict "maximum damage" and "massacre law enforcement," while White House adviser Stephen Miller labelled Pretti a "would-be assassin."
However, Trump reportedly viewed the responses from Noem and Bovino as "callous," prompting him to appoint border czar Tom Homan to manage the situation on Monday. An administration adviser quoted by Axios stated, "It's f***ed, and POTUS knew he needed to unf*** it," highlighting the disastrous fallout from Pretti's killing. A second source criticised Bovino's approach, describing him as a "cowboy" and noting that the situation was escalating without resolution, making Homan's intervention necessary.
Administrative Shifts and Crisis Talks
In response to the escalating crisis, Trump held late-night discussions on Monday with Noem and her aide, Corey Lewandowski, in the Oval Office, and reportedly sent Bovino back to California. The president also engaged in calls with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, pledging a new cooperative spirit. This followed weeks of complaints from local officials about ICE and other immigration forces "terrorising" citizens, which had led to a Department of Justice investigation accusing them of obstructing federal law enforcement.
Notably, Trump refrained from defending Noem's version of events, unlike his response to the earlier shooting of Renee Good. Instead, he told The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, "We're looking, we're reviewing everything and will come out with a determination."
Internal Criticism and Reputational Damage
Internal voices within DHS have also criticised the official response. One official speaking to CBS News suggested that Noem and Bovino attempted to smear Pretti, stating, "It's unclear who at DHS thought it would be a good idea to make such claims before any facts were established, but it was a terrible miscalculation." Another insider lamented the department's "self-inflicted reputational harm," warning that gaslighting the public undermines credibility for generations.
A former Border Patrol official added that while agents support the overall enforcement effort, they feel caught in harmful rhetoric from both sides, risking alienation.
Contradictory Evidence and Official Statements
As with the killing of Renee Good on January 7, Pretti's death was captured on video by bystanders and widely circulated online. The footage showed Pretti holding only a phone when attacked by agents, contradicting administration claims that he was "brandishing" a 9mm semiautomatic pistol found on his person.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson issued a statement asserting, "The president's entire immigration enforcement team – including Secretary Noem and Border Czar Homan – are on the same page. They are working together seamlessly to implement the president's agenda, protect the American people and deport criminal illegal aliens."
