More Republicans call for investigation after Minneapolis shooting – as it happened
Key events1h agoClosing summary1h agoWalz rejects Trump administration request to turn over state voter rolls – report4h agoMore Republicans call for investigation after Pretti killing5h agoTrump says administration 'reviewing' Pretti shooting6h agoBill Clinton calls on Americans to 'stand up' for democracy6h agoTrump blames Democrats for 'chaos' leading to deaths7h agoDid Alex Pretti record video of his encounter with the federal agents who killed him?8h agoDemocratic calls for Noem's impeachment grow over fatal shooting of Alex Pretti9h ago'Enough is enough': Vermont's Republican governor calls for Trump to de-escalate after fatal Minnesota shootings9h agoMinneapolis residents, angry and anxious, resolve to fight on as they mourn Alex Pretti9h ago'A profound disregard for human life': NY governor Hochul calls on Noem and Bovino to resign or be fired10h agoState records contradict Bovino's claims about target of Saturday's operation10h agoFederal agents involved in Pretti shooting scene reassigned outside of Minneapolis 'for their safety', Bovino says10h ago'You know what you saw': Walz tells America the country is at 'an inflection point'11h agoFederal officials 'refused access' for state investigators to Pretti shooting scene, Minnesota AG says11h ago'What side do you want to be on?' Walz asks Americans in wake of another fatal shooting11h agoWalz holds press conference on fatal shooting of Alex Pretti11h agoSummary so far12h ago'Outraged' nurses union calls for ICE to be abolished12h ago'This has to stop': Pretti shooting should be a 'wake-up call to every American' that core values are under assault, say Obamas13h agoNRA and pro-gun groups call for ‘full investigation’ into killing of Alex Pretti13h agoGrowing number of Republican lawmakers join calls for full investigation into Alex Pretti’s killing13h ago'The videos speak for themselves,' says Minneapolis police chief13h agoFBI analyzing gun Alex Pretti was allegedly carrying, says Patel14h agoBondi demands access to Minnesota voter rolls and welfare data in return for pulling ICE out of the state14h agoWalz urges Trump to pull agents out of Minneapolis 'before they kill another American in the street'15h agoBovino continues to defend fatal shooting of Alex Pretti without evidence15h ago'Your eyes don't lie': Amy Klobuchar says she will vote against DHS funding as government heads towards a potential partial shutdown16h agoGoFundMe page for Pretti nears $400,00018h agoMinnesota workers pressure employers to take action against ICE operations19h agoColleagues pay tribute to Alex Pretti, described as 'the gentlest soul you ever met'19h agoSenate Democrats will not vote for spending package that includes money for the DHS, Schumer says21h agoCalifornia governor calls for homeland security secretary to resign22h agoSenior Republican senator calls for 'a full joint federal and state investigation'23h agoOpening summary: Alex Pretti's parents condemn 'sickening lies' of Trump administrationShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureClosing summaryIt’s 10.45pm in Minneapolis and we’re going to pause our live coverage in the aftermath of federal immigration officers’ fatal shooting of VA nurse Alex Pretti.Here are the latest key developments – thanks for being with us.ShareUpdated at 07.10 CETWalz rejects Trump administration request to turn over state voter rolls – reportMinnesota governor Tim Walz has rejected the Trump administration’s call to repeal so-called sanctuary policies and share Medicaid, food assistance and voter data with the federal government to “bring an end to the chaos in Minnesota”, CNN is reporting.“It’s not a serious attempt,” Walz said on Sunday.Attorney general Pam Bondi sent a letter to Walz on Saturday urging him to repeal sanctuary policies and to allow the justice department’s civil rights division to access the state’s voter rolls, the report continues.Donald Trump on Sunday repeated the demands – as we posted earlier – calling for Minnesota Democrats “to formally cooperate with the Trump administration to enforce our nation’s laws, rather than resist and stoke the flames of division, chaos and violence”.CNN says other state officials criticised Bondi’s letter, with Minnesota secretary of state Steve Simon calling it “deeply disturbing”. Representative Ilhan Omar, who represents Minneapolis, claimed in a post: “This was never about immigration or fraud. It was always about rigging elections.”ShareUpdated at 06.57 CETThe Trump administration’s secretary of veterans affairs, Doug Collins, has confirmed that Alex Pretti was a VA nurse while blaming local and state Minnesota officials for his death at the hands of federal immigration officers.Collins said in a post on X:
We can confirm Alex Pretti was a nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. As President Trump has said, nobody wants to see chaos and death in American cities, and we send our condolences to the Pretti family. Such tragedies are unfortunately happening in Minnesota because of state and local officials’ refusal to cooperate with the federal government to enforce the law and deport dangerous illegal criminals.
ShareUpdated at 05.27 CETDemocratic ex-presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have spoken out against the shooting of nurse Alex Pretti, as we’ve reported, with Obama saying it is a wake-up call and Clinton urging Americans to “stand up” for democracy.On Sunday Obama and his wife, Michelle, described Pretti’s killing as “a heartbreaking tragedy” and “a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault”.Clinton joined the condemnation, saying the US was facing a historic moment that would shape it for years to come and urging Americans to speak out and “show that our nation still belongs to we the people”.The calls have come as pressure mounts on the Trump administration from all sides of the political divide to fully investigate Pretti’s killing by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.You can read more on that and all the day’s key Trump stories in this rundown here:ShareUpdated at 05.01 CETDays after thousands of demonstrators braved bitter cold to march through the streets of Minneapolis to demand an end to Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in their city, organisers are calling for another labour strike.The New York Times is reporting at least 200 people in University Baptist Church on Sunday called for a second demonstration, with speakers urging local businesses and employees to strike.On Friday, organisers said as many as 50,000 took to the streets, while scores of businesses across Minnesota closed for the day.Organisers of the protests said their demands included legal accountability for the ICE agent who shot dead Renee Good.ShareThe AFP news agency has been speaking to local residents who gathered on Sunday at a makeshift memorial to honour Alex Pretti.“I’m angry and I’m sad for this loss,” a resident named Lucy said at the memorial site on Nicollet Avenue, in the southern part of the city.
But I’m not scared to stay and I’m not scared to continue to fight and stand for what’s right, even when it puts my physical safety at risk.
Anna Parthun, a nurse, said:
I heard about the shooting of Alex and came with some fellow nurse friends who wanted to come and pay our respects.
View image in fullscreenPeople gathered at a makeshift memorial at the Minneapolis site where Alex Pretti was fatally shot. Photograph: Tim Evans/Reuters“I’m here on behalf of the Jewish community of Minnesota, and we are absolutely standing in solidarity against these ICE actions,” a Minneapolis resident named Elizabeth said.Another mourner, a man named Andy, stressed the importance of solidarity in the face of oppression.“If they come for you, and they come for them, and you don’t show up, there’s nobody there to come for you,” he told AFP.
So we’ve got to band together as a community and society and oppose this all.
ShareUpdated at 04.36 CETThe chaplain of the Minnesota Timberwolves has issued a poetic criticism against not speaking up about what’s happening in Minneapolis.Matt Moberg began his statement by saying:
If you’re a church postingprayers for peace and unity todaywhile my city bleeds in the streets,miss me with that softness you only wear when it costs you nothing.
Don’t dress avoidance up as holiness.
Don’t call silence “peacemaking.”
Don’t light a candle and think it substitutes for showing up.
As reported earlier, the Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Alex Pretti before its game against the Golden State Warriors, which was postponed yesterday after the fatal shooting.The chaplain continued his statement by saying an ICE agent had taken a photo of him and told him threateningly, “We’ll be seeing you soon.”Moberg said:
Peace isn’t what you ask forwhen the boot is already on someone’s neck.Peace is what the powerful ask forwhen they don’t want to be interrupted.
Unity isn’t neutral.Unity that refuses to name violenceis just loyalty to the ones holding the weapons.
ShareUpdated at 04.06 CETHere are some of the latest images coming in from Minneapolis.View image in fullscreenPeople protest a day after Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/ReutersView image in fullscreenDemonstrators gather outside the Bishop Henry Whipple federal building. Photograph: Tim Evans/ReutersView image in fullscreenMinnesota National Guard trucks parked near the Minneapolis federal building, which houses ICE offices and a detention centre. Photograph: Craig Lassig/EPAView image in fullscreenSigns at a protest. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/ReutersView image in fullscreenPeople gathered at a makeshift memorial at the site where intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot. Photograph: Tim Evans/ReutersShareUpdated at 03.13 CETMore Republicans call for investigation after Pretti killingA growing number of Republicans are pressing for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics in Minnesota after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti – a sign that the Trump administration’s accounting of events may face bipartisan scrutiny.The Republican chairman of the House homeland security committee, Andrew Garbarino, has sought testimony from leaders at ICE, Customs and Border Protection and US Citizenship and Immigration Services, saying “my top priority remains keeping Americans safe”, the Associated Press is reporting.A host of other congressional Republicans have pressed for more information, including representative Michael McCaul of Texas and senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.Their statements, in addition to concern expressed from several Republican governors, reflects a party struggling with how to respond to federal agents’ killing of Pretti. ShareUpdated at 06.01 CETEdward HelmoreMinnesota governor Tim Walz has appealed to Donald Trump to withdraw federal agents from Minnesota, a day after US border patrol officers shot and killed Alex Pretti.“What’s the plan, Donald Trump?” Walz asked at a news conference on Sunday. “What do we need to do to get these federal agents out of our state?“President Trump, you can end this today. Pull these folks back; do humane, focused, effective immigration control – you’ve got the support of all of us to do that,” Walz said. “Please show some decency. Pull these folks out”.Walz offered an impassioned plea to the US public, many of whom have been caught between supporting immigration control and opposing actions of its enforcement under the Trump administration in the interior.Walz said that even if the public once sided with ICE operations, the time had come to oppose them. “Which side do you want to be on?” he asked.The full report is here:ShareTrump says administration 'reviewing' Pretti shootingDonald Trump has declined to say whether the federal officer who fatally shot Alex Pretti had acted appropriately and that his administration is reviewing the incident, the Wall Street Journal is reporting.The president also said immigration-enforcement officers would leave the Minneapolis area “at some point”.The WSJ reported that during the short interview Trump didn’t directly answer when asked twice whether the officer who shot Pretti had done the right thing. Pressed further, the president said: “We’re looking, we’re reviewing everything and will come out with a determination.”The report also said Trump criticised Pretti for carrying a gun during protest activity, quoting the president as saying:
I don’t like any shooting. I don’t like it. But I don’t like it when somebody goes into a protest and he’s got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also. That doesn’t play good either.
Trump also signalled a willingness to eventually withdraw immigration enforcement officials from the Minneapolis area, the report said, quoting him:
At some point we will leave. We’ve done, they’ve done a phenomenal job.
ShareUpdated at 02.09 CETBill Clinton calls on Americans to 'stand up' for democracyBill Clinton has said the US is facing a historic moment that will shape it for years to come and has urged Americans to speak out and “show that our nation still belongs to we the people”.The former president issued a statement saying horrible scenes had played out Minneapolis and elsewhere “that I never thought would take place in America”.That included peaceful protesters exercising their constitutional rights being “arrested, beaten, teargassed, and most searingly, in the cases of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, shot and killed”.View image in fullscreenBill Clinton: ‘If we give our freedoms away after 250 years, we might never get them back.’ Photograph: Evan Agostini/Invision/APClinton’s statement – posted on X – continued:
All of this is unacceptable and should have been avoided. To make matters even worse, at every turn, the people in charge have lied to us, told us not to believe what we’ve seen with our own eyes, and pushed increasingly aggressive and antagonistic tactics, including impeding investigations by local authorities.
Over the course of a lifetime, we face only a few moments where the decision we make the actions we take will shape our history for years to come. This is one of them. If we give our freedoms away after 250 years, we might never get them back.
It is up to all of us who believe in the promise of American democracy to stand up, speak out, and show that our nation still belongs to We the people.
ShareUpdated at 01.49 CETTrump has also called on Democratic governors and mayors across the US to cooperate with his administration on law enforcement, rather than stoking “division, chaos and violence”.Trump’s post on Truth Social also called on Congress to “immediately pass legislation to end sanctuary cities, which is the root cause of all of these problems”.ShareTrump blames Democrats for 'chaos' leading to deathsDonald Trump has blamed Democrats for causing “chaos” that led to the deaths of two Americans at the hands of federal agents.The president also claimed on his Truth Social platform that Democrat-run “sanctuary” cities and states were refusing to cooperate with ICE and “actually encouraging leftwing agitators to unlawfully obstruct their operations”.Trump’s post continued:
By doing this, Democrats are putting Illegal Alien Criminals over Taxpaying, Law-Abiding Citizens, and they have created dangerous circumstances for EVERYONE involved. Tragically, two American Citizens have lost their lives as a result of this Democrat ensued chaos.
ShareUpdated at 01.07 CETAnother Republican senator has called for an investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti, saying the US has to “maintain our core values as a nation”.Nebraska senator Pete Ricketts posted on X that the country “witnessed a horrifying situation this weekend” .His post said:
My support for funding ICE remains the same. Enforcing our immigration laws makes our streets safer. It also protects our national security. But we must also maintain our core values as a nation, including the right to protest and assemble.
I expect a prioritized, transparent investigation into this incident.
ShareUpdated at 00.48 CETAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez has accused JD Vance of unremorsefully defending the “open killing” of regular Americans exercising their rights.AOC posted on X in a response to the vice-president:
You are defending the open killing of everyday Americans for exercising their Constitutional rights.
First, the mother of a 6 year old child. Now, an ICU nurse to veterans. Both shot at nearly point blank range.
All without reflection or remorse. People will not forget this.
The post followed one from JD Vance saying state and local officials were refusing to co-operate with immigration enforcement and that had “created the chaos so they can have moments like yesterday, where someone tragically dies and politicians get to grandstand about the evils of enforcing the border”.ShareUpdated at 00.33 CETThe Minnesota Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Alex Pretti before its game against the Golden State Warriors, which was postponed yesterday after the fatal shooting, the New York Times reports.“We extend our love, support and heartfelt sympathies to Alex’s family, friends and our community during this difficult time,” the announcer said, with an image of Pretti on the big screen in the Minneapolis arena. “Please join us in honoring the life and memory of Alex Pretti with a moment of silence.”Head coach Chris Finch told reporters before the game that “for the second time in less than three weeks, we’ve lost another beloved member of our community in the most unimaginable way”. Quoted by the NYT, Finch added that he agreed with the decision to postpone yesterday’s game, “because playing basketball just didn’t feel like the right thing to do.”ShareUpdated at 00.19 CETDid Alex Pretti record video of his encounter with the federal agents who killed him?Robert MackeyWhile we know that the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti was recorded by multiple witnesses, and that the Trump administration’s claims about what happened are directly contradicted by the publicly available video, there is one more likely source of video that has not been made public yet: the video Pretti himself appeared to have been recording on his phone from the very start of his encounter with the federal agents who killed him.Like the fatal shooting of Renee Good in the same part of Minneapolis earlier this month, which was recorded by the ICE officer who shot her, Jonathan Ross, it seems likely that this incident was also recorded by a participant.But, so far, that video has not been released.View image in fullscreenA still image of Alex Pretti recording video on his phone as he was shoved back by a federal agent minutes before being fatally shot on Saturday in Minneapolis. Photograph: Minneapolis resident who asked to be identified as JessieLate Saturday, Minnesota state authorities asked a judge to order the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees US border patrol and ICE, to preserve all of the evidence of the shooting in its possession. In its filing, the state pointed to reports that “federal personnel apparently seized cell phones” from witnesses, and that might well include the phone Pretti was holding up until the moment he was tackled to the ground and shot multiple times.The federal judge did issue a restraining order, instructing the federal authorities that might have witness video, including Pretti’s own, “from destroying or altering evidence”.But, in marked contrast to the aftermath of the shooting to death of Good, when the Department of Homeland Security released Ross’s own video, apparently believing that it would exonerate him, so far the federal government has not released any video recorded by Pretti.ShareUpdated at 00.02 CETThe online fundraiser for the family of Alex Pretti had raised nearly $700,000 by this afternoon, a day after federal agents killed the US citizen and nurse in Minneapolis in a shooting that ignited another round of street protests against Donald Trump’s administration and its immigration crackdown in the city.Share
