White House Aide Concedes Protocol Lapses in Fatal ICE Shooting Incident
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has publicly acknowledged that federal immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis may have failed to adhere to established operational protocols. In a statement to CNN, Miller revealed that the White House had provided explicit guidance to the Department of Homeland Security regarding the deployment of extra personnel to Minnesota for force protection duties.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge Over Pretti's Death
According to Miller, the additional personnel were intended to conduct fugitive operations and establish a physical barrier between arrest teams and potential disruptors. "We are evaluating why the CBP team may not have been following that protocol," Miller stated, referring to the Customs and Border Protection unit involved. This admission comes amid growing scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Pretti's death.
It has since been disclosed through a DHS notice obtained by multiple media outlets that two federal agents discharged their weapons during the confrontation that resulted in the 37-year-old U.S. citizen's death. The Department of Homeland Security initially claimed that Pretti approached officers with a handgun during a targeted operation, prompting an agent to fire "defensive shots" out of fear for their life.
Evidence Contradicts Official Narrative
However, available footage from the incident appears to show Pretti holding a mobile phone rather than a firearm, though a gun was reportedly tucked into his waistband. Adding to the controversy, a review conducted by Customs and Border Protection's internal watchdog did not confirm that Pretti brandished a weapon during the altercation, according to an email sent to Congress and reviewed by The New York Times.
Stella Carlson, a witness who filmed the shooting, has expressed frustration that she has not been contacted by federal authorities. "That they're protecting themselves and they don't care about the truth of what happened," Carlson told CNN's Anderson Cooper when questioned about the lack of communication.
Political Fallout and Calls for ICE Withdrawal
The incident has ignited significant political backlash, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanding the immediate withdrawal of all Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from Minnesota. "Alex Pretti did not deserve to die. Renee Nicole Good did not deserve to die," Schumer declared on social media, referencing two fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis within the past month. "Enough is enough. ALL of ICE out of Minnesota now."
Schumer has further indicated that he will oppose any House-passed spending bill that provides funding to the Department of Homeland Security, vowing to vote against legislation that supports ICE until the agency undergoes substantial reform.
Republican Criticism and Bipartisan Condemnation of Violence
Even within Republican ranks, criticism has emerged. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska stated that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem "probably is time for her to step down," citing her handling of the situation as unhelpful to the country. President Donald Trump, however, has defended Noem, asserting she is performing a "very good job" and will not resign despite calls from Democratic lawmakers for her removal.
The political climate in Minnesota has been further inflamed by an attack on Representative Ilhan Omar during a town hall event in Minneapolis, where a man sprayed her with an unknown substance. Omar, who continued the event unharmed, responded defiantly: "I've survived war and I'm definitely going to survive intimidation."
Republican Representative Nancy Mace, despite previous disagreements with Omar, condemned the assault, stating she was "deeply disturbed" by the incident. U.S. Capitol Police have pledged to pursue "the most serious charges possible" against the perpetrator.
State Leadership Responds to Escalating Tensions
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed relief that Omar was safe, while lamenting the "cruel, inflammatory, dehumanizing rhetoric" from national leaders that he believes contributes to such violence. Meanwhile, meetings between Trump's border czar Tom Homan, Governor Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and law enforcement officials have been described as a "starting point" to address the escalating tensions between federal immigration authorities and local communities.
