Republicans Call for Probe Into Minneapolis ICE Shooting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Prominent Republicans are demanding a full investigation into the fatal ICE shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, questioning federal tactics and the Trump administration’s narrative. The incident is igniting bipartisan tension over gun rights, immigration enforcement, and states’ rights. Video evidence and conflicting accounts have complicated the political fallout.
Minneapolis ICE Shooting Fallout – Quick Looks
- 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis
- Pretti was legally armed, held a permit to carry, and was not brandishing his weapon in video footage
- Republican senators and governors are calling for a full investigation
- DHS and Trump officials maintain Pretti was violent and armed
- GOP officials raise concerns about excessive force, civil rights, and law enforcement overreach
- Trump allies like Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem defend ICE actions
- Gun rights groups warn against criminalizing legal gun ownership at protests
- Tensions emerge between pro-Second Amendment conservatives and Trump administration
- Some Republicans criticize “sanctuary” city policies but still call for transparency
- Shooting comes at a politically sensitive time ahead of midterm elections
Deep Look
Republicans Join Calls for Investigation Into ICE Killing of Armed Minneapolis Nurse
WASHINGTON — A growing number of Republican lawmakers are breaking ranks with the Trump administration, demanding a thorough and impartial investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and legally armed civilian, by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during an immigration raid in Minneapolis.
The incident, which sparked nationwide protests and rekindled debates over federal overreach, is now causing internal fractures within the GOP over key conservative values — gun rights, states’ rights, and civil liberties.
Pretti, who worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital and had no criminal record beyond traffic infractions, was shot Saturday during a large-scale ICE operation. Video footage shows him holding a phone and being shoved by agents. At no point in the videos released so far is he seen brandishing a weapon, though federal officials claim he was armed with a 9mm handgun and carrying two magazines.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Pretti as someone who “approached agents violently,” but skepticism over that claim is growing — not just from Democrats, but from prominent Republican lawmakers and governors.
GOP Calls for Transparency and Accountability
House Homeland Security Committee Chair Andrew Garbarino led the charge for congressional oversight, requesting testimony from leaders at ICE, CBP, and USCIS. His focus, he said, is “keeping Americans safe,” but added that “credibility must be earned.”
Republican Senators Bill Cassidy, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Pete Ricketts also released statements demanding clarity.
“The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake,” said Cassidy, who is facing a Trump-backed challenger in Louisiana. He called the footage “disturbing” and pushed for a federal-state joint probe.
Senator Collins warned that federal agents “do not have carte blanche” and said force must be proportional. “Was this situation one that could have been resolved without gunfire?” she asked.
Even staunch Trump allies such as Senator Pete Ricketts emphasized the need for transparency, noting, “My support for ICE remains, but we must also uphold our core values.”
Gun Rights vs. Immigration Enforcement
The shooting has created ideological tension within the GOP. While Trump-era immigration policies remain popular among the Republican base, the killing of a legally armed civilian has sparked concern from gun rights advocates and libertarian-leaning conservatives.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), known for his unwavering defense of the Second Amendment, condemned the reaction from DHS officials.
“Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence. It’s a Constitutionally protected, God-given right,” Massie wrote on social media.
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus released a strongly worded statement:
“Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms — including while attending protests. These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed.”
The NRA also weighed in, warning against “demonizing law-abiding citizens” and urging public officials to await the results of a full investigation.
These statements stand in stark contrast to Trump officials like Stephen Miller, who called Pretti an “assassin” and “domestic terrorist,” and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who criticized protest attendees for being armed.
“When I protest, I don’t bring a gun. I bring a billboard,” Bessent said on ABC’s This Week — a comment that drew backlash from gun rights groups.
Political and Legal Tensions Escalate
The demand for answers has now spread beyond Capitol Hill. Republican Governors Kevin Stitt (OK) and Phil Scott (VT) also spoke out, highlighting the need for an “endgame” and condemning the optics and outcomes of federal actions.
“Nobody likes the feds coming to their states,” Stitt said on CNN. “Is the goal to deport every non-citizen? I don’t think that’s what most Americans want.”
Gov. Scott was even more direct:
“At best, this was a failure of coordination and leadership. At worst, it’s deliberate federal intimidation.”
Their comments further isolate the Trump administration’s current approach, as it faces criticism even from within its own party.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY), typically a defender of Trump, questioned whether Minneapolis is the right place for enforcement if local officials won’t cooperate.
“Maybe move the operation to another city,” Comer said on Fox News. “Let the people of Minnesota decide whether they want illegal immigration or ICE enforcement.”
Immigration Approval Drops Amid Political Fallout
The shooting arrives at a delicate political moment for the Republican Party. Trump’s handling of immigration, once a central strength, has declined sharply in public approval.
According to a January AP-NORC poll, only 38% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s immigration policy — down from 49% in March.
The administration has been criticized for lack of coordination with local law enforcement, over-militarization, and poor public communication.
The killing of Alex Pretti, a legal gun owner with no criminal record, has only amplified these concerns, especially as more footage and conflicting details emerge.
What Comes Next?
Despite initial unified messaging from the White House and DHS, the growing bipartisan push for a deeper inquiry signals that the Trump administration’s narrative is far from solidified.
Whether federal agents followed protocol and whether Pretti posed a legitimate threat will be central questions for upcoming hearings. The House Homeland Security Committee is expected to begin its investigation within the next two weeks.
Meanwhile, both federal and state authorities are conducting parallel reviews of the shooting, with potential civil rights implications, according to DOJ insiders.
As the political pressure mounts, the incident may become a defining moment for how the GOP balances its hardline immigration stance with core conservative values, such as gun rights and limited government overreach.
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