Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has publicly cast doubt on whether federal immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis are genuinely on administrative leave. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Wednesday that two Border Patrol agents connected to the incident had been placed on leave, describing the move as standard protocol following such an event.
Governor's Skepticism Over Agent Status
During an interview with MS NOW on Wednesday evening, Governor Walz voiced significant uncertainty regarding the official narrative. "I don't know the identity of the agents and I don't know if I believe they're on leave," Walz stated. He further speculated that the officers are "probably not" currently within Minnesota, raising questions about their operational status and location.
Release of Confrontation Video
Also emerging on Wednesday was a video, published by The News Movement and verified by the BBC using facial recognition technology, which appears to show Alex Pretti in a confrontation with federal agents less than two weeks prior to his death. The footage reportedly depicts Pretti kicking a government vehicle before being tackled by agents. His family has confirmed to CNN that he is the individual shown in the video.
Political Backlash and Polling Data
The incident has ignited a fierce political debate concerning the tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A new Fox News poll reveals that 59 percent of registered voters believe ICE is being too aggressive in carrying out President Donald Trump's campaign promise for large-scale deportations. Only 24 percent felt the tactics were appropriate, while 17 percent deemed them insufficiently aggressive.
Fox News Chief Political Analyst Brit Hume commented that Trump's deportation efforts may have "hit its political limits," suggesting public discomfort with scenes of enforcement, particularly following the two recent fatal shootings in Minnesota.
Broader Political Reactions
The shooting and the surrounding political climate have prompted strong reactions from various figures:
- Representative Ilhan Omar, who was herself sprayed with a substance at a Minneapolis town hall, responded to Trump's suggestion that the attack on her was staged, criticising the President's remarks.
- White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller condemned a federal judge's order blocking the arrest of refugees in Minnesota, calling it "judicial sabotage."
- Representative Jamie Raskin labelled both Alex Pretti and Renee Good, another individual fatally shot by federal agents this month, as "victims of homicidal state terror."
Administrative Leave Details and Context
According to a report from the Associated Press, the two federal agents involved in Pretti's killing have been on administrative leave since Saturday, the day of the shooting. A DHS spokesperson reiterated to The Independent that placing officers on leave is standard procedure following such incidents.
Governor Walz also recounted a recent phone conversation with President Trump, noting that the President unexpectedly brought up the U.S. operation in Venezuela during their discussion about Minnesota's situation, drawing a parallel that Walz found notable.
The Pretti family has issued a statement condemning what they call "sickening lies" from the administration about their son, asserting that he was a "good man." The Independent has reached out to DHS and Customs and Border Protection for further comment on Governor Walz's sceptical remarks.
