In the wake of Saturday's fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man by US Border Patrol agents, President Donald Trump's attention appears largely diverted to other matters. While the incident involving Alex Pretti, a US citizen legally carrying a concealed weapon while filming agents, sparked national controversy, the president dedicated significant energy to defending his prized construction project.
Sunday Social Media Focus
Just before noon on Sunday, Trump posted a lengthy 450-word defence of his White House ballroom construction project on his Truth Social platform. The rant targeted what he called the 'Radical Left National (No!)Trust for Historic Preservation,' describing its members as 'so-called "preservationists" who get their money from the most unusual of places' and who 'couldn’t care less' about America in his view.
He emphasised that the project, estimated to cost between $300 and $400 million, would not use taxpayer funds but rather donations from America's business leaders. Further plans for the new ballroom wing, being constructed on ground that formerly housed the East Wing, will be presented to the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts next month in February.
Contrasting Administration Responses
As Trump focused on his ballroom, his top lieutenants made the rounds on Sunday television shows, offering varying perspectives on whether Pretti did anything wrong during the encounter. The conflicting responses highlighted the administration's disjointed messaging during a crisis.
Only one of Trump's posts directly referenced the shooting itself, and that was merely a photograph of the firearm the victim allegedly possessed during the clash with border patrol officers. Photographs revealed Pretti was armed with a P320 AXG Combat, a high-end custom variant of the weapon that allegedly holds three 21-round magazines and retails for upwards of $1,300.
Minnesota Comments and Political Attacks
Later on Sunday afternoon, Trump finally posted about Minnesota, but his comments focused on allegations of financial fraud rather than the shooting. He declared on Truth Social that the state 'is a Criminal Cover Up of the massive Financial Fraud that has gone on!'
Over recent days, Trump has repeatedly tied his Minnesota posts to fraud allegations and has specifically called out the state's Democratic leaders, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. This pattern continued despite the ongoing investigation into the fatal border agent encounter.
Administration Figures Weigh In
Trump praised an appearance by Kentucky Republican Congressman James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, regarding the incident. Comer told Sunday Morning Futures host Maria Bartiromo that federal agents should consider leaving Minneapolis altogether because of the heated, fatal situations officers have encountered there.
'If I were Trump, I would almost think…there's a chance of losing more innocent lives, then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide,' Comer suggested. Trump called the interview 'GREAT' and added that Comer 'said it all concerning Minnesota, Deranged Jack Smith, and many other topics of interest,' concluding that 'Jamie is doing a fantastic job!'
Meanwhile, administration officials offered contrasting personal perspectives. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABC this week that he's never attended a protest with a gun, instead opting for alternative methods like billboards. In contrast, Border Patrol leader Greg Bovino said Sunday on CNN's State of the Union that he himself had attended protests armed and supports individuals' ability to do the same, with the crucial caveat that they must not 'perpetrate violence, obstruct, delay, or obfuscate border patrol in the performance of their duties.'
The divergent responses from Trump and his administration create a complex picture of leadership priorities during a sensitive law enforcement incident that has raised serious questions about border agent conduct and citizen rights.
