Obama Condemns ICE After Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti
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The former U.S. President, Barack Obama, and former First Lady Michelle Obama, have condemned the shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
They described the incident as a national crisis and an attack on American values.
In their statement reported on X, the Obamas characterize the murder as both terrible and a warning to Americans of all political pursuits. “The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.”
On January 24, Pretti, a registered nurse who worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis, was shot and died. This happened because of federal immigration enforcement operation that has already provoked political backlash and significant outcry.
Bystander footage and eyewitness reports have disputed official assertions that Pretti threatened officers with a weapon. However, the specific circumstances are still being investigated.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) workers were among the federal agents they accused of acting with impunity and using strategies that intimidated locals.
“Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job,” the Obamas said. “But Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way, and to work with, rather than against, state and local officials to ensure public safety.”
The former president and first lady also brought attention to a recent shooting of Renee Good, which has been connected to federal immigration operations.
They urged that instead of providing justifications that appear to contradict evidence, the administration should work with state and local officials. They declared “This has to stop.”
The announcement coincides with growing political pressure in Washington.
A federal judge has granted a restraining order over the preservation of evidence related to the incident, and Minnesota authorities, including Governor Tim Walz, have asked for the expulsion of federal officers from the state amid demonstrations.
Despite growing debate over divergent reports of the incident and intensifying protests in Minneapolis, President Donald Trump did not explicitly condemn the actions of the federal officers involved in the Alex Pretti.
However, his administration has supported the federal officers’ actions.
The Obamas’ comments have garnered widespread notice. Activists and public figures have echoed calls for accountability and additional research into federal enforcement strategies.
They reiterate Pretti’s death as a major point in continuing national discussions over immigration law and the use of force.
