Obama and Clinton Break Silence After Alex Pretti Shooting as Minneapolis Tensions Escalate
The killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal officers has triggered nationwide protests, while former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton issue sharp warnings over the growing crisis in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis is once again at the centre of a widening political storm after Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was fatally shot during a confrontation involving federal immigration officers. The incident has intensified anger over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, sparked fresh demonstrations across the United States, and prompted unusually direct reactions from high-profile figures — including Barack and Michelle Obama, as well as Bill Clinton.
White House officials have insisted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem still holds President Donald Trump’s “full trust and confidence”, despite mounting calls for her resignation following the deaths of Pretti and another Minneapolis resident, Renee Good. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said border enforcement chief Tom Homan — described as Trump’s “border tsar” — has been sent to Minnesota to manage Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations on the ground.
Trump, writing on Truth Social, blamed the unrest on “Democrat run Sanctuary Cities and States” and claimed protests were being fuelled by wider allegations of welfare fraud in Minnesota. In the same post, Trump said a “major investigation” was under way and singled out Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, claiming she was under scrutiny.
Obama: “This must stop”
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama described Pretti’s death as a “heartbreaking tragedy” and warned that America’s core values are increasingly under attack. In a joint statement posted on social media, the Obamas argued that federal immigration officers and law enforcement must work lawfully and be held accountable — and said the situation unfolding in Minnesota appeared to reflect the opposite.
They also criticised the Trump administration for escalating tensions in Minneapolis and presenting claims that, they argued, were not backed by a serious investigation and were contradicted by video evidence. The Obamas called for meaningful cooperation with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and local law enforcement “to prevent further chaos.”
Clinton: “Unacceptable”
Bill Clinton also condemned the shooting, calling it “unacceptable” and warning that what he described as misleading narratives around the incident pose a direct threat to the country’s democratic foundations. In his remarks, Clinton said the decisions made in moments like this could shape the United States for years to come.
Videos and competing accounts
The Department of Homeland Security has claimed officers acted in self-defence and that Pretti “violently resisted” efforts to disarm him. However, the official account has been challenged by video footage circulating widely online, as well as by witnesses and family statements that dispute key elements of the government’s narrative.
Local officials say Pretti was believed to be a lawful gun owner with no criminal record beyond traffic violations. His death has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over the scale and methods of federal immigration enforcement — particularly in cities where local and state leaders have voiced strong opposition to the crackdown.
As demonstrations continue, pressure is building for a transparent investigation into the shooting and for clarity over how federal agents will operate in Minneapolis moving forward.
