White House Retreats on Alex Pretti Claims Amid Video Backlash
The White House has been forced into a significant retreat from its initial characterisations of Alex Pretti, the man fatally shot by federal agents in Minnesota, following intense public and political backlash. This reversal comes after widely circulated video footage starkly contradicted earlier assertions that Pretti was a gunman posing a threat to law enforcement.
Initial Portrayals and Swift Backpedalling
Over the weekend, senior Trump administration officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, described Pretti in highly charged terms. Miller labelled him "a domestic terrorist who tried to assassinate law enforcement", while Noem accused him of perpetrating "the definition of domestic terrorism".
However, these claims were rapidly undercut by video evidence showing Pretti was shot in the back approximately ten times after being tackled to the ground by US Border Patrol agents. The footage indicated he had been disarmed of his gun, which he was reportedly licensed to carry, and was filming the agents at the time of the incident.
Press Briefing Sidesteps and Investigative Pledges
At a Monday briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt carefully avoided direct questions about the earlier remarks against Pretti. She insisted the administration would refrain from further comment pending the outcome of multiple investigations into the shooting.
"I have not heard the president characterise Mr Pretti in that way," Leavitt stated. "However, I have heard the president say he wants to let the facts and the investigation lead itself."
Separately, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche attempted to soften the administration's stance, telling Fox News: "I don't think anybody thinks that they were comparing what happened on Saturday to the legal definition of domestic terrorism."
Political Fallout and Operational Shifts
The evolving White House positions highlight a reactive administration grappling with a sudden decline in support for ICE and US Border Patrol tactics, particularly among Republicans on Capitol Hill. In response, President Trump announced he would send Tom Homan, his "border czar", to oversee operations in Minneapolis, replacing the US Border Patrol official in charge, Gregory Bovino. This move is seen as a repudiation of Secretary Noem, with whom Homan has been at odds for months.
Trump also appeared to seek a diplomatic off-ramp, following earlier Truth Social posts blaming Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Democrats for Pretti's death. In a new announcement, Trump said he had a "very good call" with Walz and that they were on the "same wavelength" regarding immigration enforcement in the state.
Calls for Independent State Investigation
Governor Walz's office released a statement indicating Trump had agreed to consider reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and to ensure state investigators could launch an independent probe. This push comes after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) complained over the weekend that federal agents blocked their access to the shooting scene, hindering evidence collection even with a court order.
Despite the backtracking, Leavitt maintained at the briefing that blame for the shooting rests with Walz and Democrats, stating: "This tragedy occurred as a result of a deliberate and hostile resistance by Democrat leaders for weeks."
Parallels to Previous Incidents and Broader Implications
The administration's handling of the Pretti shooting mirrors its response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old protester shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. Initially, officials doubled down on claims she tried to run over an agent, but Trump later called it a tragedy after learning her father was a supporter.
This episode underscores the perils of rushing to blame victims and defend agents before investigations conclude. Privately, administration officials have suggested the shooting may have been an unintentional error by agents spooked by a possible accidental discharge of Pretti's gun after it was taken from him.
The rapid shift in narrative reflects the intense political pressures and the power of visual evidence in shaping public perception and policy responses in high-stakes law enforcement incidents.
