In a striking televised interview, MSNBC's Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough has asserted that Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti was effectively 'executed in the streets of America' by federal immigration agents. The commentator made the explosive claim during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday night, where he discussed the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and his own complex relationship with former President Donald Trump.
Scarborough's MAGA Friends Recoil from Federal Actions
Despite being a frequent critic of the president on his daily talk show, Scarborough disclosed a surprising personal statistic: approximately '90 percent' of his friends voted for Trump. However, he explained that a significant shift occurred recently. 'Something happened this past week,' Scarborough told Kimmel, noting that even his most loyal MAGA-supporting friends now vehemently disagree with the federal government's justification for Pretti's death.
The 37-year-old nurse was killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis on January 24. His death followed closely on the heels of another fatal shooting, that of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an agent in her car on January 7. Scarborough described Pretti's death as looking 'like an execution,' forcefully reiterating that the healthcare worker was 'executed in the streets.'
Administration's Defence Meets Widespread Backlash
The Department of Homeland Security has publicly defended the actions of its ICE agents in both incidents. Secretary Kristi Noem contended that an officer shot Pretti because he 'feared for his life,' while accusing Renee Good of involvement in 'domestic terrorism.' Scarborough pushed back strongly against these characterisations during the interview.
He challenged the official narrative regarding Good, telling Kimmel that she was 'trying to calm' the agent down before being fatally shot twice through her car window. Speaking about Pretti, Scarborough added with evident emotion: 'It is amazing that you had a man who was a nurse at a VA hospital and was a Good Samaritan, dared to be a good Samaritan, and he got shot and killed for it.'
A Potential Defining Moment for the Nation
Scarborough framed the ongoing controversy as a pivotal juncture for the United States. 'I think 20 years from now, our children and grandchildren are going to be looking back and this is going to be a defining moment,' he declared. He expressed a fervent hope that the president and his advisers would recognise that 'things have been pushed too far' and would begin the necessary work of 'bringing this country together.'
When questioned by Kimmel about whether Trump fears losing his core base of supporters, Scarborough dismissed the idea that fear is a primary motivator for the president. The interview also revealed that Scarborough had personally called Trump after the president announced he had spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Scarborough encouraged Trump to be seen publicly engaging with these local leaders, describing it as a 'good thing' for the nation that should occur more frequently.
Scarborough's Political History and Tumultuous Relationship with Trump
Joe Scarborough's perspective is informed by his own political background; he previously served as a Republican representative in Congress. Since 2007, he has hosted the Morning Joe programme alongside his wife, Mika Brzezinski. The couple has often been the target of Trump's ire, with the former president derisively labelling them 'Crazy Mika' and 'Psycho Joe.'
In an attempt to mend fences following Trump's re-election, the Morning Joe hosts held a private meeting with him at Mar-a-Lago. They stated the purpose was to 'restart communications,' while acknowledging, 'We didn’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues and we told him so.' This conciliatory gesture provoked significant criticism from some on the left, including fellow commentator Sunny Hostin, who suggested on The View that the couple had met merely to 'kiss his ring.'
The Trump administration continues to face substantial backlash for its defence of the ICE-related killings and for blocking attempts by state and local officials to assume control of the investigations. Scarborough's comments underscore a growing rift, suggesting that even within the president's staunchest circles, support for such federal actions is fracturing.
