Minneapolis shooting: More Republican lawmakers join calls for full investigation into Alex Pretti’s killing – live

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Trump has also called on Democratic governors and mayors across the US to cooperate with his administration on law enforcement, rather than stoking “division, chaos and violence”.

Trump’s post on Truth Social also called on Congress to “immediately pass legislation to end sanctuary cities, which is the root cause of all of these problems”.

Trump blames Democrats for 'chaos' leading to deaths

Donald Trump has blamed Democrats for causing “chaos” that led to the deaths of two Americans at the hands of federal agents.

The president also claimed on his Truth Social platform that Democrat-run “sanctuary” cities and states were refusing to cooperate with ICE and “actually encouraging leftwing agitators to unlawfully obstruct their operations”.

Trump’s post continued:

By doing this, Democrats are putting Illegal Alien Criminals over Taxpaying, Law-Abiding Citizens, and they have created dangerous circumstances for EVERYONE involved. Tragically, two American Citizens have lost their lives as a result of this Democrat ensued chaos.

Another Republican senator has called for an investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti, saying the US has to “maintain our core values as a nation”.

Nebraska senator Pete Ricketts posted on X that the country “witnessed a horrifying situation this weekend” .

His post said:

My support for funding ICE remains the same. Enforcing our immigration laws makes our streets safer. It also protects our national security. But we must also maintain our core values as a nation, including the right to protest and assemble.

I expect a prioritized, transparent investigation into this incident.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has accused JD Vance of unremorsefully defending the “open killing” of regular Americans exercising their rights.

AOC posted on X in a response to the vice-president:

You are defending the open killing of everyday Americans for exercising their Constitutional rights.

First, the mother of a 6 year old child. Now, an ICU nurse to veterans. Both shot at nearly point blank range.

All without reflection or remorse. People will not forget this.

The post followed one from JD Vance saying state and local officials were refusing to co-operate with immigration enforcement and that had “created the chaos so they can have moments like yesterday, where someone tragically dies and politicians get to grandstand about the evils of enforcing the border”.

The Minnesota Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Alex Pretti before its game against the Golden State Warriors, which was postponed yesterday after the fatal shooting, the New York Times reports.

“We extend our love, support and heartfelt sympathies to Alex’s family, friends and our community during this difficult time,” the announcer said, with an image of Pretti on the big screen in the Minneapolis arena. “Please join us in honoring the life and memory of Alex Pretti with a moment of silence.”

Head coach Chris Finch told reporters before the game that “for the second time in less than three weeks, we’ve lost another beloved member of our community in the most unimaginable way”. Quoted by the NYT, Finch added that he agreed with the decision to postpone yesterday’s game, “because playing basketball just didn’t feel like the right thing to do.”

Did Alex Pretti record video of his encounter with the federal agents who killed him?

While we know that the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti was recorded by multiple witnesses, and that the Trump administration’s claims about what happened are directly contradicted by the publicly available video, there is one more likely source of video that has not been made public yet: the video Pretti himself appeared to have been recording on his phone from the very start of his encounter with the federal agents who killed him.

Like the fatal shooting of Renee Good in the same part of Minneapolis earlier this month, which was recorded by the ICE officer who shot her, Jonathan Ross, it seems likely that this incident was also recorded by a participant.

But, so far, that video has not been released.

A still image of Alex Pretti recording video on his phone as he was shoved back by a federal agent minutes before being fatally shot on Saturday in Minneapolis. Photograph: Minneapolis resident who asked to be identified as Jessie

Late Saturday, Minnesota state authorities asked a judge to order the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees US border patrol and ICE, to preserve all of the evidence of the shooting in its possession. In its filing, the state pointed to reports that “federal personnel apparently seized cell phones” from witnesses, and that might well include the phone Pretti was holding up until the moment he was tackled to the ground and shot multiple times.

The federal judge did issue a restraining order, instructing the federal authorities that might have witness video, including Pretti’s own, “from destroying or altering evidence”.

But, in marked contrast to the aftermath of the shooting to death of Good, when the Department of Homeland Security released Ross’s own video, apparently believing that it would exonerate him, so far the federal government has not released any video recorded by Pretti.

The online fundraiser for the family of Alex Pretti had raised nearly $700,000 by this afternoon, a day after federal agents killed the US citizen and nurse in Minneapolis in a shooting that ignited another round of street protests against Donald Trump’s administration and its immigration crackdown in the city.

Protesters take to the streets of Minneapolis the day after Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents.

One sign reads, “ICE GTFO”, and others commemorate Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Photograph: Adam Gray/AP

Thousands protest against ICE in downtown Minneapolis. Photograph: Adam Gray/AP

Among the signs are placards reading, “ICE OUT” and, “We all saw it,” referring to video footage of the killing.

People take part in a demonstration in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

People protest against ICE after the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis. Photograph: Adam Gray/AP

Democratic calls for Noem's impeachment grow over fatal shooting of Alex Pretti

Democratic senator Jacky Rosen is calling for the impeachment of Kristi Noem, saying that she believes the homeland security secretary is attempting to “mislead the American public” about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis yesterday.

Rosen, a moderate from Nevada who was part of the group that helped Republicans end the 43-day government shutdown last year, comes amid a growing fury from congressional Democrats who have also vowed to block the DHS funding bill. A House resolution to launch impeachment proceedings against Noem has the support of more than 100 Democrats, but few Senate Democrats have so far weighed in.

Rosen said in a statement to The Associated Press:

Kristi Noem has been an abject failure leading the Department of Homeland Security for the last year — and the abuses of power we’re seeing from ICE are the latest proof that she has lost control over her own department and staff.

Rosen said Noem’s conduct is “deeply shameful” and she “must be impeached and removed from office immediately”.

Kristi Noem at a news conference at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters on 24 January. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Rosen’s statement follows that of Massachusetts senator Ed Markey, who is one of the more left-leaning members of the Senate Democratic caucus. Markey said last week that Congress should begin impeachment proceedings against Noem, “who is right now actually orchestrating on the streets of our country this almost vigilantism on the part of ICE agents terrorizing cities all across the country.”

Calls for Noem’s impeachment also grew louder in the House as the Democratic caucus had a phone call with Minnesota’s governor Tim Walz and the state’s attorney general Keith Ellison, both former congressmen, a person familiar with the private call told the AP.

Most of the House Democratic lawmakers who spoke during the meeting called for Noem’s impeachment, another person familiar with the call told the news agency.

New York representative Laura Gillen, a Democrat who was one of only seven House Democrats who voted to fund the DHS last week, said today that “there must be accountability, which is why Secretary Noem must be impeached immediately”.

“She is not focused on safety or border security; she’s focused on chaos and self-promotion, undermining local law enforcement and stoking violence as a result,” Gillen said in a post on X.

More than 60 chief executives of leading Minnesota-based companies signed an open letter today, calling for state, local and federal officials to de-escalate local tensions after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti (though the letter does not name him).

“With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the business leaders said in the letter, released by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

Among the companies that signed the letter were major retailers Best Buy and Target, as well as General Mills, United Health Group, and NFL team the Minnesota Vikings. The executives said they have been in close communication with the White House, vice-president JD Vance, Minnesota governor Tim Walz as well as local mayors.

“In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future,” the letter reads.

Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski also called for a “comprehensive, independent investigation” into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.

In a post on X, the GOP congresswoman wrote:

The tragedy and chaos the country is witnessing in Minneapolis is shocking. The killing yesterday of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents should raise serious questions within the administration about the adequacy of immigration-enforcement training and the instructions officers are given on carrying out their mission. Lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American—especially, as video footage appears to show, after the victim had been disarmed.

A comprehensive, independent investigation of the shooting must be conducted in order to rebuild trust and Congressional committees need to hold hearings and do their oversight work. ICE agents do not have carte blanche in carrying out their duties.

And further to that, James Comer, a GOP representative of Kentucky and chairman of the House oversight committee, said on Fox News earlier today that Donald Trump should consider removing ICE agents from Minneapolis and sending them to another state.

If “there’s a chance of losing more innocent lives or whatever,” Comer said, “then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide: Do we want to continue to have all of these illegals?”

Further to my earlier posts about Republican elected officials breaking with the Trump administration to condemn and/or demand an investigation into the fatal shootings of American citizens in Minnesota by federal agents, representative Michael McCaul, of Texas, has called for a “thorough” investigation.

He wrote on X:

I am troubled by the events that have unfolded in Minneapolis. As an attorney and former federal prosecutor, I believe a thorough investigation is necessary—both to get to the bottom of these incidents and to maintain Americans’ confidence in our justice system.

I look forward to hearing from DHS officials about what happened here and how we can prevent further escalation in the future.

He called on “both sides” to “turn down the temperature right now”.

The National Basketball Players Association has put out a statement on the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Good saying that NBA players “can no longer remain silent”.

“Now more than ever, we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice,” the statement reads. “We refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all.”

Earlier, we reported that sports stars including two-time NBA All-star Tyrese Haliburton condemned the killing of Pretti yesterday. “Alex Pretti was murdered,” the Indiana Pacers guard wrote. Two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart held a sign reading “ABOLISH ICE” before her team’s game in Unrivaled, the league she co-founded. Another WNBA star, Angel Reese, posted “Praying for our country” on X.

'Enough is enough': Vermont's Republican governor calls for Trump to de-escalate after fatal Minnesota shootings

Vermont’s governor Phil Scott earlier issued a statement calling for Donald Trump to de-escalate federal actions in Minnesota, the latest Republican to do so, saying: “Enough is enough.”

Enough … it’s not acceptable for American citizens to be killed by federal agents for exercising their God-given and constitutional rights to protest their government.

At best, these federal immigration operations are a complete failure of coordination of acceptable public safety and law enforcement practices, training, and leadership.

At worst, it’s a deliberate federal intimidation and incitement of American citizens that’s resulting in the murder of Americans. Again, enough is enough.

The President should pause these operations, de-escalate the situation, and reset the federal government’s focus on truly criminal illegal immigrants. In the absence of Presidential action, Congress and the Courts must step up to restore constitutionality.

With risk of a partial government shutdown growing, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has said he is seeking to advance the five other funding bills and rewrite the Department of Homeland Security bill, according to Punchbowl News, in the wake of “the blatant abuses of Americans by ICE in Minnesota”.

In a statement, via Punchbowl News, Schumer said:

Senate Democrats will not allow the current DHS funding bill to move forward.

Senate Republicans have seen the same horrific footage that all Americans have watched of the blatant abuses of Americans by ICE in Minnesota.

The appalling murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti on the streets of Minneapolis must lead Republicans to join the Democrats in overhauling ICE and CBP to protect the public. People should be safe from abuse by their own government.

Senate Republicans must work with Democrats to advance the other five funding bills while we work to rewrite the DHS bill. This is the best course of action, and the American people are on our side.

Last night, Schumer said his party would block the funding package altogether next week if it included money for the DHS in the wake of another fatal shooting of a US citizen in Minnesota by a federal agent.

The announcement, which dramatically escalated the potential for another partial government shutdown, came as anger towards homeland security, which oversees ICE, intensifies after a group of federal agents violently restrained and then fatally shot 37-year-old ICU nurse Pretti in Minneapolis, weeks after the fatal shooting of Good, also 37, by an ICE agent.

Minneapolis residents, angry and anxious, resolve to fight on as they mourn Alex Pretti

Rachel Leingang

in Minneapolis

At the scene on Sunday, a tribute continued to grow – flowers, candles and signs stuck into the snowbank and on the asphalt – for Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old nurse who was observing ICE when he was killed. His death came less than three weeks after Renee Good, also 37, was killed by a federal agent in the city. In Minneapolis the scene of a growing vigil is now all too common.

Spray paint saying “ICE OUT” and “Fuck ICE” could be found throughout the area, on freeway overpasses and the sides of buildings. “RIP Alex,” signs at the shooting site said. People huddled in thick winter coats, one with a blanket wrapped around them, to pay their respects and keep watch on the memorial.

Flowers, candles and photographs left at a makeshift memorial for Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Photograph: Craig Lassig/EPA

Glam Doll Donuts, across the street from the shooting, posted a photo out its front windows, lined with signs saying ICE wasn’t welcome but everyone else was, on social media on Sunday morning. Bystander video from that location spread widely the day before. The owners wrote that this view out their windows, which they’ve had for almost 13 years, would “never be the same”. They said the shop would be open for a few hours on Sunday, with “minimal donuts”, as a place for anyone needing some warmth and community.

“The tragedies we continue to experience together are horrifying but our people are beyond beautiful and we don’t take your shit,” they wrote.

The unrelenting federal campaign on the city has residents angry and anxious, resolved to fight back but aware that their resistance continues to grow more dangerous after the deaths of two observers. Beyond those who have worked in the streets to follow, document and alert residents to agents, an unofficial network of neighbors many thousands deep continues to grow to take kids to school, deliver groceries and supplies to people who can’t leave home and organize rides for those not driving for fear of agents pulling them over.

RT Rybak, the former mayor of Minneapolis, wrote that this global spotlight for the city can show people how to unite in a “common purpose” of protecting each other. “A community uniting around the idea that everyone belongs does not mourn alone,” he wrote.

Read Rachel’s full report here: