In a remarkable television moment that has captured national attention, the co-hosts of ABC's The View made a startling pivot during Monday's broadcast, delivering an unexpected and forceful defence of Second Amendment rights while discussing the fatal shooting of Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti.
Unprecedented Constitutional Defence
As the popular daytime talk show dissected the controversial killing that saw the 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse shot dead by Border Patrol agents during protests over federal immigration raids, multiple co-hosts argued that Pretti was lawfully armed, constitutionally protected, and entirely entitled to carry his weapon under Minnesota state law.
The unusually robust defence of firearm rights emerged as the panel accused the Trump administration of misleading the public about the circumstances surrounding the shooting and mischaracterising Pretti as a violent threat, despite video evidence suggesting he appeared to have been disarmed before being shot at close range.
Administration Statements Challenged
The exchange was triggered by a clip featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who stated during a media appearance, 'I don't know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign.'
Whoopi Goldberg immediately challenged this characterisation, accusing Noem and other administration officials of dishonesty regarding what actually transpired. 'I don't know what you're investigating if you are not investigating the straight up murder...the straight up murder,' Goldberg declared emphatically during the broadcast.
Following Goldberg's initial remarks, co-host Sunny Hostin expanded upon the argument, stating, 'I think your point is extremely important because we see now that the government lies to the American people, and they also flout the Second Amendment and Minnesota law.'
Legal Carry Rights Emphasised
Hostin continued her analysis by highlighting Pretti's legal standing, noting, 'Because Alex Pretti, while he did have a concealed weapon, he had a permit... There is no question that you can protest, exercising your First Amendment right to peacefully assemble in Minnesota, while having that handgun.'
Goldberg reinforced this position by interjecting, 'He was allowed to carry it,' creating a unified front among the co-hosts regarding the legal permissibility of Pretti's actions.
Historical Context Provided
Sara Haines then contributed historical perspective to the discussion, explaining, 'The birth of the Second Amendment was about the people being able to protect themselves in case the government was to turn on them.'
Hostin responded by connecting this historical purpose directly to the current situation, stating, 'It's for this very same thing,' while Haines added, 'Exactly what's happening right now. I'm guessing he [Pretti] carries this wherever he goes, but this is a prime example of what people were allowed to protect themselves against was to carry that weapon.'
Notable Departure from Previous Positions
Monday's remarks represented a significant departure from the programme's established positions regarding firearms and constitutional rights. The panel has long been associated with skepticism toward expansive gun rights, making their defence of Pretti's Second Amendment protections particularly noteworthy.
In previous broadcasts, Hostin has cited literature suggesting the right to bear arms was originally designed to protect slavery, while Goldberg has drawn parallels between abortion rights and gun rights, suggesting limitations should apply to both.
More recently, following the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, the co-hosts argued that America's 'obsession' with guns represented the central problem in such incidents.
Reactions from Within the Panel
Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump administration aide who now serves as a co-host, expressed visible astonishment at the discussion's direction, stating, 'My jaw was on the floor,' reacting to what she described as officials 'denying the existence of the Second Amendment, something that is sacrosanct in the Republican Party.'
Goldberg delivered particularly pointed criticism toward specific administration figures, declaring, 'You can't sit by this. Kristi Noem, you can't justify this. Mr [Greg] Bovino, you can't justify this. You can't justify either one. And we all see it. And we see you for what you are. You all have blood on your hands.'
Broader Context of the Incident
The segment aired as outrage over Pretti's killing spread nationwide and President Trump dispatched border enforcement chief Tom Homan to Minneapolis amid growing protests and bipartisan concern regarding the incident.
According to available video footage and witness accounts, Pretti, who was properly licensed to carry a firearm, never removed his weapon from its holster and appeared already disarmed when he was shot multiple times at close range by federal agents.
Initial characterisations from federal officials branding Pretti a 'domestic terrorist' were subsequently walked back as scrutiny intensified and additional evidence emerged contradicting this portrayal.
The 37-year-old victim worked as an intensive care unit nurse and had previously been employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, having initially trained as a research scientist before returning to education to pursue nursing.
This unexpected constitutional defence from The View's co-hosts represents a significant moment in the ongoing national conversation about protest rights, law enforcement conduct, and the interpretation of fundamental American liberties during periods of social unrest.
