WASHINGTON (AP) — A handful of Republicans expressed growing concern Sunday about the tactics that federal immigration officials are using in Minnesota after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a man in Minneapolis.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt described the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who had been protesting against President Trump's immigration policies, as a real tragedy. Pretti, who was a U.S. citizen born in Illinois, has become a focal point in the ongoing debate about federal immigration enforcement.
Stitt remarked, “The death of Americans, what we’re seeing on TV, it’s causing deep concerns over federal tactics and accountability. Americans don’t like what they’re seeing right now.” He pointedly suggested that President Trump needed to clarify his stance and offer solutions rather than allowing the situation to escalate further.
Other Republican leaders, including Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, voiced their unease over the situation. Cassidy termed the shooting as “incredibly disturbing” and highlighted the risk to the credibility of agencies like ICE and DHS. Tillis is calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into the actions of the immigration officials.
Tillis suggested, “Any administration official who rushes to judgment and tries to shut down an investigation before it begins is doing an incredible disservice to the nation.” Meanwhile, some administration officials have defended the hardline immigration tactics. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attributed the chaos to what he called the actions of “paid agitators” and accused the Minnesota governor of failing to manage the unrest.
The incident reflects the mounting tensions surrounding immigration policy and highlights the complexities that arise from such tragedies in the realm of national security and civil rights.
