Billionaires Condemn ICE Actions and Minnesota Killings
A series of tragic events in Minnesota has drawn condemnation from a prominent group of billionaires, especially in response to the death of Alex Pretti. Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, became the second American citizen to be killed by federal agents this month.
Billionaires Speak Out Against ICE Actions
Prominent figures including Bruce Springsteen and Melinda French Gates have voiced their outrage regarding the recent killings. Springsteen even released a song titled “Streets Of Minnesota,” dedicating it to Pretti and others impacted by the violence. In his lyrics, he criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), referring to its agents as “Trump’s federal thugs.”
Responses from Prominent Figures
- Reid Hoffman: The LinkedIn co-founder urged business leaders to raise their voices against the current situation.
- Melinda French Gates: She expressed that the killings were “unconscionable” and emphasized the importance of Americans being able to exercise their rights without fear.
- Ray Dalio: The hedge fund manager highlighted the critical moment for the country, questioning whether President Trump would seek peace or escalate tensions.
- Dario Amodei: CEO of Anthropic, criticized recent events and stated that they diminished his enthusiasm for working with ICE.
- Sam Altman: The OpenAI CEO expressed concern over ICE’s tactics and indicated that pushing back against overreach is essential.
- Vinod Khosla: He described the Trump administration as “conscious-less” and condemned the treatment of marginalized individuals.
- Chris Olah: The Anthropic co-founder stated that recent events struck a chord with his commitment to democratic principles.
- Bill Ackman: While supporting the family of Pretti, he also made controversial donations related to the incident.
Public Outcry and Protests
In the wake of Pretti’s death, protests have erupted across the United States. Demonstrators are demanding accountability for ICE and calling for an end to aggressive federal enforcement tactics. Both Pretti’s and Renee Good’s murders have sparked renewed debates about the future of ICE, with even some Republican leaders acknowledging the need for change.
Political Reaction
- Mike Lawler: A Republican Representative from New York, Lawler remarked that the incidents illustrate a failure in the current system.
The collective outcry from these billionaires and the public reflects a significant shift in attitudes towards federal immigration enforcement. As the nation witnesses these unfolding events, the call for justice and accountability continues to grow.
