President Donald Trump is facing mounting criticism as the deaths of two Americans in Minneapolis during federal immigration operations spark outrage across the nation.
The latest victim, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot and killed by federal agents early yesterday while struggling with officers on an icy roadway. This tragedy comes less than three weeks after Renee Good, also 37, was shot and killed in her car during a similar operation.
Trump quickly blamed the incidents on what he described as Democratic “chaos,” targeting Minnesota’s elected officials. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote: “Democrat run Sanctuary Cities and States are REFUSING to cooperate with ICE. Tragically, two American Citizens have lost their lives as a result of this Democrat ensued chaos.”
Administration officials claimed that Pretti had intended to harm agents, pointing to a pistol allegedly found on him. However, widely circulated videos verified by major US media show that Pretti never drew a weapon, with agents firing multiple shots seconds after using chemical irritants and forcing him to the ground.
The Pretti family strongly condemned the government’s characterization of their son, calling it “sickening lies.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed grief for the family, while US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances fully.
Multiple Republican senators have also called for a careful probe and cooperation with local authorities, as Trump’s administration previously excluded local investigators from examining Good’s death.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz directly challenged the president, asking, “What’s the plan, Donald Trump? What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state?”
Business leaders from 60 Minnesota-based corporations, including Target and General Mills, signed an open letter urging immediate de-escalation and collaboration among state, local, and federal officials.
Since “Operation Metro Surge” began, thousands of federal agents have been deployed to Minneapolis, a city with one of the largest Somali immigrant populations in the US. The operation, which Trump has repeatedly linked to alleged immigrant fraud, has sparked clashes and protests, with residents using whistles to alert neighbors to agent activity.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison criticized the federal strategy, saying, “It’s not about fraud. If Trump sent people skilled in forensic accounting, we’d have a different conversation. But he’s sending armed masked men.”
Local authorities have filed a lawsuit to halt the operation, with a court hearing scheduled for today. Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama condemned Pretti’s death, calling it a “wake-up call” and warning that core US values are under threat. They criticized the Trump administration for appearing “eager to escalate the situation.”
As the nation reacts, families, local leaders, and communities are left grappling with loss, fear, and uncertainty. Amid political blame and federal pressure, many residents are asking a simple question: what must be done to protect innocent lives?
