Trump Admin Trust, Credibility Tested in Wake of Pretti’s Death in Minneapolis/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration is facing a growing trust deficit following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. Inaccurate early statements from officials, conflicting video evidence, and bipartisan calls for independent investigations have intensified scrutiny over how the administration handles immigration enforcement and truthfulness with the public.
Quick Look:
- Sen. Bill Cassidy warns the credibility of DHS and ICE is “at stake”
- Trump administration’s narrative about Pretti’s shooting contradicted by video evidence
- Lawmakers from both parties call for independent investigations
- White House distances Trump from unverified claims by DHS officials
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth introduces amendment for mandatory DHS oversight
- Social media posts from the administration have distorted facts and photos
- Critics say the trust crisis reflects long-term credibility issues for Trump
- Experts compare Trump’s credibility problem to past presidential crises
Deep Look:
Trump Administration’s Credibility Under Fire After Minneapolis Shooting of Alex Pretti
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is facing intensifying questions about its trustworthiness following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis. The incident has not only stirred public outrage but also reignited a deeper debate over the administration’s pattern of misrepresentation and erosion of public trust.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., didn’t just criticize the Minneapolis operation — he issued a warning.
“The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake,” Cassidy said in a social media post. “There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.”
In the hours after Pretti’s death, top officials from the Trump administration, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, claimed Pretti had approached officers with a weapon and acted violently. However, video footage from bystanders appears to tell a different story. Pretti was seen holding a phone and being tackled by multiple officers. There is no video evidence showing him brandishing a weapon, although he legally carried a concealed firearm.
This apparent disconnect between official statements and visual evidence has triggered bipartisan calls for independent investigations and a renewed focus on presidential credibility — a crucial asset during times of national tension.
“Trust is central,” said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center. “When a president loses credibility, it disrupts the public’s ability to understand the world through the lens of their leadership.”
The administration appeared to shift its tone Monday. Trump spoke with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in what both sides described as a “productive” conversation. Meanwhile, controversial Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino — who was leading operations in Minneapolis and made inflammatory online claims about Pretti — is expected to leave the city.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt distanced Trump from earlier remarks labeling Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” emphasizing those words did not come directly from the president.
Yet the damage may already be done.
Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, wrote, “I disagree with Secretary Noem’s premature DHS response, which came before all the facts were known and weakened confidence.” He called for a “transparent, independent investigation.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., proposed an amendment to the DHS funding bill requiring outside investigations into DHS, ICE, and Border Patrol activities.
“This isn’t a red or blue issue. It’s about truth and accountability,” she said.
The administration’s credibility issues are compounded by a pattern of misinformation on social media. During Trump’s second term, White House social channels have frequently shared misleading or distorted content designed to appeal to the president’s base.
Last week, an image posted by the White House depicted civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong as a violent agitator. The unedited photo, later posted by Noem, showed her expression as calm, raising further questions about image manipulation.
This isn’t new behavior. During the 2024 election, Trump and Vice President JD Vance amplified false claims that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were abducting pets. Confronted about the lie, Vance claimed the story was used to “draw attention” to border policies.
“If I have to create stories so the media pays attention, that’s what I’ll do,” Vance said at the time.
Presidents throughout history have suffered credibility crises. Lyndon Johnson’s handling of Vietnam, George W. Bush’s justification for the Iraq War, and Joe Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal all left lasting marks.
But Trump’s challenges may be unparalleled, says Barbara Perry, co-director of the Presidential Oral History Program at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center.
“Donald Trump is unique,” she said. “If you count up all of the times he has prevaricated, it would have to outweigh all other presidencies.”
Public trust in the federal government is at a historic low. According to Gallup, only 38% of Americans say they trust Washington to handle domestic issues “a fair amount” or more — down from 70% in 1972.
In a political environment where truth is increasingly weaponized, the Trump administration’s latest challenge may not just be about immigration policy. It’s about restoring faith in leadership itself.
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