Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly has sparked controversy by stating she feels no sympathy for Alex Pretti, a protester who was shot and killed by federal agents during an anti-immigration protest in Minneapolis. On her podcast, Kelly bluntly remarked, 'I know I'm supposed to feel sorry for Alex Pretti, but I don't. You know why I wasn't shot by border patrol this weekend? Because I kept my ass inside and out of their operations.'
Kelly's Stance on Protest Conduct
Kelly elaborated on her views regarding public demonstrations, advising that if she chose to attend a protest, she would do so 'peacefully on the sidewalk without interfering, because interfering is where you go south.' She emphasised that 'laying hands' on Border Patrol officers 'is a felony now' and warned that any action resembling resistance could lead to 'serious trouble.' In a separate post on social media platform X, Kelly labelled Pretti as 'an agitator' and referenced a prior physical confrontation with federal agents, concluding with the acronym FAFO (f*** around and find out).
Details of the Fatal Incident
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old VA nurse, was fatally shot ten times by a Border Patrol agent during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. According to reports, Pretti was recording agents on his phone when he intervened after an agent shoved a woman to the ground. He was subsequently pepper-sprayed and tackled by half a dozen agents, who grappled with him on the ground. The shooting occurred after his licensed handgun was removed from his waistband.
It has since emerged that Pretti had a previous altercation with federal agents the week before his death. An insider revealed that after seeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers chasing a family on foot, Pretti stopped his car, began shouting and blowing a whistle, and was tackled by five agents. One officer allegedly leaned on his back, causing a broken rib. Despite being released at the scene, Pretti reportedly remained on federal agents' radar.
Political Repercussions and Investigations
The incident has triggered significant political fallout, particularly for Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem. Documents obtained by media outlets indicate that agents deployed in Minneapolis were instructed earlier this month to 'capture all images, license plates, identifications, and general information on hotels, agitators, protestors.' Federal officers are understood to have kept documented details about Pretti, though it is unclear when this information collection began.
President Donald Trump has weighed in on the matter, stating that Pretti should not have been carrying a gun at the protest. While disagreeing with labelling Pretti an 'assassin,' Trump asserted, 'You can't have guns. You can't walk in with guns. You just can't.' Trump reportedly rebuked Secretary Noem after she branded Pretti a 'domestic terrorist' at a news conference, leading to her being dispatched to secure the Southern Border, away from interior immigration operations.
Public Opinion and Calls for Action
Despite calls for her resignation from senior Democrats, including Senator John Fetterman, Noem's job appears safe for now. However, House Democrats have launched an investigation into her actions, with 140 members co-sponsoring an impeachment resolution. Republican lawmakers, such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Kentucky Representative James Comer, have also expressed concerns that Noem's immigration crackdown in Minnesota may have gone awry.
A recent Daily Mail/JL Partners poll reveals a dramatic loss of confidence in Noem following the fatal shootings of Pretti and anti-ICE protester Renee Good on January 7. Her approval rating has dropped to 33 percent from 37 percent last month, while her disapproval rating has risen to 41 percent. Notably, 46 percent of respondents believe Noem should be impeached, and 42 percent say President Trump should fire her. The poll, conducted on January 26 with over 1,000 registered voters, has a margin of error of 3.1 percent.
Kelly further defended her position by questioning public compassion, stating, 'As for me, I have plenty of compassion - for the innocent Americans being killed, raped and molested by illegals. Where are your tears for them?' This commentary adds to the heated debate surrounding immigration enforcement, protest rights, and governmental accountability in the United States.
