MINNEAPOLIS, MN January 2026 – Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the nation from the FEMA National Response Coordination Center on Saturday, staunchly defending federal agents involved in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti during protests against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Noem described the incident as a justified response to an armed individual who allegedly assaulted officers, emphasizing that the agents acted “according to their training” to protect lives.
“This individual showed up to impede a law enforcement operation and assaulted our officers,” Noem stated during the press conference. “They responded according to their training and took action to defend the officer’s life and those of the public around him. I don’t know any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun or ammunition rather than a sign. This is a violent riot when you have someone showing up with weapons and are using them to assault law enforcement officers.” Officials confirmed that a firearm was recovered at the scene, and the shooting occurred after a struggle near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.
The incident marks the second fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents in recent weeks, following the death of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a Minneapolis woman killed by an ICE officer earlier this month. Protests have intensified across the city and nationwide, with demonstrators decrying what they call excessive force during the administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Noem’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism, with former ICE chief John Sandweg calling her statements “incredibly irresponsible” amid disputes over video footage that purportedly shows Pretti being disarmed before shots were fired.
Pretti’s parents identified him as the victim, describing him as a dedicated healthcare worker who was protesting peacefully. Eyewitness accounts and social media videos suggest he was assisting a fallen protester when confronted by agents, leading to a confrontation where he was pepper-sprayed and then shot. Critics, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and local organizers, have accused federal forces of overreach, with some linking the protests’ organization to figures like Amanda Koehler, a campaign strategist for Walz.
In response to the unrest, Noem announced plans to deploy hundreds more agents to Minneapolis, vowing that immigration enforcement would continue unabated. The Minnesota National Guard has been activated to assist local police as crowds gather for memorials and marches, remaining largely peaceful but tense.
Local leaders, including Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, have called for calm while investigations proceed, but tensions remain high with accusations of planted evidence and biased narratives from both sides. President Trump’s administration has framed the protests as orchestrated disruptions, while opponents argue they reflect widespread opposition to aggressive deportation tactics.
As winter storms compound the chaos in the region, officials urge residents to avoid protest areas for safety. The Department of Justice has launched a review of the shooting, amid calls from civil rights groups for independent oversight.
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