Several Trump administration officials have defended the ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, sparking widespread outrage. Pretti was killed Saturday morning during an ICE operation after filming agents with his phone. Video shows him being pepper-sprayed and tackled before being shot. Authorities claim he was armed, though no public evidence has been released.
Vice President JD Vance drew heavy backlash after posting about the incident — not by addressing Pretti’s death, but by sharing a story about ICE agents being “doxed” at a restaurant. He blamed local officials for refusing to cooperate with immigration enforcement and suggested their actions led to chaos and violence.
His comments were met with intense criticism online. Many accused him of ignoring the killing and spreading misinformation. Some called him a “disgrace” and a “liar,” while others said he showed more concern for federal agents than for a man who died during the encounter.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also condemned Vance’s remarks, accusing him of defending the killing of civilians for exercising their constitutional rights.