White House Separates Trump from Initial Minnesota Killing Response
In the wake of the fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, the White House has attempted to distance President Trump from the initial response of his senior officials. On Saturday, Pretti was shot multiple times by federal agents while reportedly filming them. He was known to possess a legal firearm in Minnesota, but video evidence indicates he never brandished it during the encounter.
White House Response
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not defend the earlier statements from officials like Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem, who erroneously labeled Pretti as a “domestic terrorist.” Instead, she emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation, saying, “We will let the facts lead and play out.”
Political Fallout
The shooting has escalated tensions between Democrats and the Trump administration. Criticism has intensified, even drawing support for Pretti from the National Rifle Association. Calls for a fair investigation are mounting, threatening to impact federal funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- President Trump sent border chief Tom Homan to oversee operations in Minnesota.
- Trump initially criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz but later called their conversation “productive.”
- Governor Walz has demanded impartial investigations into both Pretti’s and another recent shooting.
Change in Tone
Initially, President Trump referred to Pretti as a “gunman.” However, as video evidence emerged, there was a notable shift in tone. Trump stated he did not wish for harm to come to Americans, indicating a desire for accountability.
Leavitt reiterated this sentiment, emphasizing the administration’s mourning for the victims and their families. As the investigation unfolds, the political implications for the Trump administration appear significant.
