Republican Senator Delivers Sharp Rebuke of Trump's Response to Fatal Minneapolis Incident
In a striking display of intra-party dissent, Republican Senator Thom Tillis has publicly condemned former President Donald Trump's remarks regarding the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. The North Carolina lawmaker, who is retiring at the end of the year, expressed profound dismay at Trump's choice of language, particularly the former president's suggestion that Pretti's "stock" had diminished following the release of a controversial video.
'Stock Going Down?!' - A Question of Compassion and Decorum
Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Friday morning to comment on footage filmed eleven days before Customs and Border Protection officials shot and killed Pretti. The video depicted Pretti kicking an Immigration and Customs Enforcement SUV, breaking its taillight before being subdued. "Agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist, Alex Pretti's stock has gone way down with the just released video," Trump wrote, describing the scene as "a display of abuse and anger" while praising the ICE officer involved as "calm and cool."
Senator Tillis, while acknowledging that the video showed Pretti likely engaging in agitation, took strong exception to Trump's mercenary terminology. "Stock going down?! My God, we're talking about a man who died on the street," Tillis told The Independent, his voice reportedly laden with frustration. "It's just no place for that. I don't think the American people are going to like that."
Calling for Due Process Amid Political Tensions
The senator emphasised the importance of allowing the investigation into Pretti's death to proceed without prejudicial commentary from political leaders. "We'll let the investigation come out," he stated firmly, underscoring his commitment to due process. Tillis argued that despite current societal tensions, the American populace retains a fundamental compassion that would be alienated by such rhetoric. "We're a little bit edgy, but we're a pretty kind population, and I just don't think they like bullies in that image up there," he remarked.
This is not the first time Tillis has positioned himself at odds with his party's leadership regarding this case. He was among the earliest Republican voices to demand a federal investigation into the shooting after video evidence of Pretti's death emerged. Furthermore, he criticised Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for labelling Pretti a "domestic terrorist," and alongside Senator Lisa Murkowski, suggested she should consider resigning her position.
A Pattern of Institutional Defence
Senator Tillis's stance on the Pretti matter aligns with his recent efforts to defend institutional processes from what he perceives as political interference. He has previously criticised the Department of Justice's investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, stating he would not support Powell's replacement on the Senate Banking Committee unless the probe was halted. This position remained firm even when Trump announced Kevin Warsh as a potential successor.
"Process precedes people," Tillis asserted, explaining his rationale to The Independent. "This process of prosecution has to end before I'm willing to vote to confirm anybody, even somebody as good as Warsh." His principled stand has drawn ire from Trump, who has labelled Tillis and Murkowski "losers" and claimed Tillis had lost his "voice."
The senator's comments highlight a growing, if still limited, willingness within the Republican ranks to challenge Trump's narrative on sensitive law enforcement matters, particularly when it concerns the loss of life and the integrity of official investigations.
