WASHINGTON (RTWNews) — A handful of Republicans expressed growing concern over the tactics employed by federal immigration officials in Minnesota following the tragic shooting of a protestor by a U.S. Border Patrol agent. The shooting victim, Alex Pretti, was a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen who had been outspoken against the current administration's immigration policies.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt characterized Pretti's death as a real tragedy. He criticized the federal government's actions, stating, The death of Americans only heightens concerns over federal tactics and accountability. Stitt addressed claims that current strategies are highly criticized, indicating that Americans don’t like what they’re seeing right now. He suggested that President Trump should re-evaluate advice from his administration regarding immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Stitt requested clarity from Trump about the potential solutions and the ultimate goal of immigration enforcement, stating the need for calm amidst rising tensions. Other Republicans share similar concerns. Senators Thom Tillis (North Carolina) and Bill Cassidy (Louisiana) have also voiced their unease, labeling the shooting as incredibly disturbing and calling for thorough investigations into the incident that jeopardizes the credibility of ICE and DHS.
Tillis urged against premature conclusions and stressed the importance of conducting an impartial investigation before rushing to judgments in a social media post, asserting that undermining this will harm both the nation and Trump’s legacy.
Despite the backlash, administration officials defended their hard-line tactics. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent condemned the actions in Minnesota, blaming local Democratic leaders for the discord and asserting that external agitators are to blame for the escalated tensions.
