Gun Rights Groups Slam Trump Admin Over Minneapolis Shooting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Gun rights activists and Republican leaders are rebuking the Trump administration after a Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The administration’s framing of the incident has drawn outrage, especially from Second Amendment advocates. Critics say the response contradicts Trump’s past pro-gun stance.
Trump Faces Unexpected Backlash Over Pretti Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 27, 2026 — President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is facing backlash from an unlikely source: gun rights advocates and prominent Republicans, after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a legally armed ICU nurse in Minneapolis.
Pretti was the second person killed by federal officers this month. But what has inflamed Trump’s base is how administration officials portrayed Pretti as a threat — despite video evidence showing no signs that he brandished his legally carried firearm.
Second Amendment Advocates Outraged: Deep Look
The National Rifle Association (NRA), Gun Owners of America, and several GOP leaders denounced early comments by Trump officials, including Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who claimed Pretti acted violently.
“Dangerous and wrong,” the NRA said after a U.S. attorney suggested anyone approaching law enforcement while armed might be lawfully shot.
Gun Owners of America VP Erich Pratt told CNN, “I’ve attended protests while armed, and no one got injured.”
Even some Trump allies spoke out.
Former VP Mike Pence demanded a “full and transparent investigation,”
while Rep. Jeremy Faison of Tennessee tweeted, “Showing up at a protest is very American. Showing up with a weapon is very American.”
Videos Undermine Administration Claims
Contrary to initial official statements, bystander videos show Pretti helping a pepper-sprayed woman, holding a cellphone — not a weapon. Multiple officers tackled him, and one agent appeared to take his holstered gun before shots were fired.
No video released so far shows Pretti drawing his weapon, which he was licensed to carry under Minnesota law.
Still, Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, posted online calling Pretti “an assassin.” Trump later amplified those claims with an image of Pretti’s firearm and magazines.
White House Changes Tone
After facing a wave of criticism from pro-gun groups, the White House walked back its messaging on Monday.
“The president supports the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding American citizens, absolutely,” said press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
But she added a caveat: “When you are bearing arms and confronted by law enforcement, you are raising … the risk of force being used.”
Still, the tone marked a noticeable departure from the administration’s earlier accusations against Pretti.
Conservatives See Hypocrisy
Gun rights supporters and political analysts are pointing out double standards in Trump-world. Many referenced Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted after killing two people during 2020 protests. Trump hailed Rittenhouse as a hero — a stark contrast to how Pretti was described.
Trey Gowdy, a former Trump impeachment lawyer, said on Fox News:
“Pretti’s firearm was legally carried… He never brandished it.”
UCLA law professor Adam Winkler added: “The moment someone is thought to be from the left, they abandon their principled Second Amendment stance.”
2026 Election Risks
The controversy comes as Trump tries to defend narrow Republican control of the House and gain Senate seats in the midterms. His coalition includes strong Second Amendment supporters, and any erosion there could pose electoral risks.
William Sack, legal director at the Second Amendment Foundation, warned:
“Trump’s inconsistency may cost him deeply with the core of his base.”
While many Republican lawmakers remained silent, the issue appears to be complicating Trump’s hardline immigration messaging as protests continue in Minnesota.
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