Federal immigration officers shot a third person in Minneapolis in as many weeks on Saturday.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said federal agents killed a 37-year-old man whom officials believe was a U.S. citizen who lived in Minneapolis. Video of the shooting was captured by observers and posted to social media.
O’Hara said he had no information about what led up to the shooting but said the man, whom officials have not identified yet, was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. O’Hara says police have not interacted with the deceased other than a few traffic tickets.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey again urged the federal government to end its two-month old immigration siege, which has brought 3,000 federal officers to Minnesota, or nearly five times the number of sworn Minneapolis police officers.
“How many times must local and national leaders plead with you, Donald Trump, to end this operation and recognize that this is not creating safety in our city?” Mayor Jacob Frey said.
Gov. Tim Walz said he’d spoken to the White House after the shooting. “Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.”
Law enforcement blocked off the streets and deployed tear gas to dissuade angry demonstrators from going near the site of the shooting, which was around 26th Street West and Nicollet Avenue. Over 100 federal agents were on the scene after the shooting.
O’Hara urged demonstrators to go home. State Patrol and other state law enforcement were there also in an attempt to keep the peace.
In a graphic video now circulating on social media, six federal agents appear to wrestle the man to the ground in front of the New American Development Center. One of the agents hits the man three times with what appears to be a firearm. Bystanders are surrounding the group and filming on their cellphones.
Over 10 shots can be heard in the video, but it’s unclear if more than one agent fired a weapon.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a social media post that officers were conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against someone illegally in the U.S. “wanted for violent assault,” when another person approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm handgun. It’s unclear if the gun was drawn.
Video shows an agent in a gray jacket approach the man as he’s being held on the ground by multiple other agents and then walk away with what appears to be a gun in his hand, before shots are fired.
“The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. More details on the armed struggle are forthcoming,” DHS said. “Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene.”
U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino said in a press conference that the officer who shot the man is “highly trained” and served as a Border Patrol agent for eight years. Bovino said the agent has “extensive training as a Range Safety Officer,” to ensure people on a gun range are using it safely.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which typically investigates law enforcement shootings, said in a social media post their agents arrived at the scene of Saturday’s killing at the request of the Minneapolis Police Department but were blocked from accessing the location by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The BCA began a joint investigation into the ICE officer shooting of Renee Good earlier this month before being abruptly shut out of the investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, hindering local prosecutors from being able to consider if criminal charges are warranted against the officer.
DHS statements about the previous shootings have later been found to be false or misleading. In the immediate aftermath of the killing of Good, DHS referred to her as a “domestic terrorist.”
A 911 call after a second shooting, of a Venezuelan man in north Minneapolis, suggests that the agent shot at the man as he was trying to escape into a house, which would contradict the Department of Homeland Security account that the federal immigration agent fired a shot defensively. In a sworn affidavit, an FBI agent confirmed that the agent shot the man when he had begun running toward the house, the Star Tribune reported.
As Stateline recently reported, DHS recently revised its account of a December shooting in Glen Burnie, Maryland, after local police contradicted its initial version. DHS first claimed both men injured in the incident were inside a van that ICE officers fired at in self-defense, but later said that one of the injured men had already been arrested and was in custody inside an ICE vehicle when he was hurt. The other man was shot twice and is facing two federal criminal charges.
In August, federal immigration agents fired at a family’s vehicle three times in San Bernardino, California. DHS maintained the shooting was justified after at least two agents were struck by the vehicle, but available footage shows an agent breaking the driver-side window moments before gunfire erupted. Surveillance footage from the street does not show agents being struck by the vehicle.
The Saturday shooting comes one day after tens of thousands of people protested ICE in downtown Minneapolis in subzero temperatures.
–Madison McVan, Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer
Reformer Deputy Editor Max Nesterak contributed to this report. This story was originally produced by Minnesota Reformer, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Florida Phoenix, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Brian says
So, what kind of moron injects himself, armed, into this obviously volatile situation? Looks like a desire of “suicide by cop” to me. Even the idiot Tampon Tim Walz will probably struggle to defend this one (but maybe not). One thing is for sure, the incident definitely qualifies for FAFO status!
Jim says
Did you even watch the video(s) of this shooting? It stuns me that anyone can see what occurred and state “looks like a “suicide by cop”. Six or seven ICE officers have the guy on the ground, lying on top of him. In one video, it looks like one of the ICE officers has taken a weapon from the guy they are holding down and is moving away. Then, suddenly, there is a shot, everyone scatters and it’s followed by several other shots while Alex Pretti is lying on the pavement not moving.
I see Noem and Stephen Miller have already labled Pretti a “domestic terrorist”. No investigation needed. ICE shoots an American citizen, legally exercising his right to protest, licensed and carrying concealed multiple times and you spout the same garbage. It’s a real shame that you are not capable of watching a video and drawing your own conclusions. The government calls it terrorism while anyone actually watching what happens sees a man get shot while having several ICE agents holding him down and – apparently – unarmed. Noem says he approached the agents with a 9mm. That’s a lie. Noem says the agents shot in self-defense. If true, let the police do a full investigation and we’ll all see what they determine.
This is not policing. This is not making America safer. This a a full blown assault on Americans by our own government. If you have any clue at all about freedom, you need to wake up and see what’s really happening and not be led around by the nose by FOX news.
Feel “free” to cheer on the death of this man. Looks like that makes you feel good somehow. Be sure to thank God and Jesus for Pretti’s death tomorrow at church.
Brian says
My whole point, Jim, is why was this guy there in the first place? And why armed? And I am fully capable of “drawing my own conclusions” – here is a simple one – it is probably safe to conclude that anyone in Minneapolis yesterday who was at home, or at work, or anywhere else, did not get pepper sprayed, beaten or shot while interfering with law enforcement. Pretti could be at church today if he simply knew how to mind his own business.
Pierre Tristam says
“Was this guy there in the first place”? Because it’s his goddam city, Brian, as it is not the goons’.
Sherry says
Thank you Pierre. . . for stating the obvious!
Gina says
He worked for the VA as an ICU nurse. Legal gun owner. Homeowner. Upstanding member of his community. He was a hero in his career, and went out like a hero trying to protect the women the ICE officer pushed down.
A TRUE hero all around, he didn’t deserve this. And he was holding a phone in his hand not
a gun!
Chucky says
Hey Pierre, are you still or have ever been an objective journalist ?
Pierre Tristam says
I doubt you understand either words, or are interested in understanding either, judging from the trolling drools of your question.
The dude says
And here I thought “being armed” was some sort of fucking constitutional right or something.
Thing about it is, he was NOT “armed” when he was shot 5 times.
Sherry says
@brian. . . I normally do not engage with people like you, so I’ll keep it short.
The “victim” of this killing was there because he was a 37 year old white US citizen and a resident of Minneapolis. It damned well “WAS HIS BUSINESS”!
Brian says
Okey dokey Sherry – I certainly appreciate your “engagement” with someone like me. Let me offer up a little lesson for you that I’ll call Staying Alive 101 – You don’t take a loaded firearm into the middle of a law enforcement activity and wrestle with agents, nor do you take a vehicle and attempt to block the street where there is law enforcement activity. You just don’t do it. But I do find it encouraging that you, and several of the regulars on here with your lunatic leftist politics, have suddenly become pro-gun. Thank you.
Jim says
Brian, for a guy living in the free state of Florida, you must have struggled to ask why the guy was armed. As I understand our -current- rights, we are allowed to carry concealed unless it’s around a school or a bar or somewhere else legally prohibited. So I can’t accept anyone in this country asking “why was he armed”. We’ve had school shootings, church shootings and almost every other kind of shooting that can be imagined. Each and every time, all I hear is that we have the Second Amendment right to bear arms. So for anyone on the right to ask that question (with what I imagine is a straight face), I find it just absolutely incredible. He was exercising his rights. He was protesting – another right. You say he could have been in church today if he’d minded his own business. Really. I think part of being an American is the willingness to stand up and tell the government they are wrong when you feel that is the case. He was doing what he could to stand up for all our rights. Further, it appears that all this occurred because ICE pushed a woman who stumbled and he stepped in to help her. That triggered the ICE agents to swarm him. Do you draw the conclusion that we’d all be better off to mind our own business and let that woman fall? Just leave her to her fate?
So I assure you I won’t expect you to get out and stand up for anything that happens in this country. It appears you’re one of those privileged “citizens” that doesn’t mind having all the advantages civilization offers but is perfectly content for others to be abused and mistreated – just as long as it’s not you. I wonder if you feel that way if/when someone in your family gets abused. Do you just “mind your own business”? I’m just curious where you draw the line.
That’s your right in this country. Pretti chose to exercise his right to protest and carry a concealed weapon. He was not breaking the law. The videos clearly show that. He was standing there filming when the woman was pushed and he helped her. He got swarmed by ICE. Six agents on top of him on the ground. One clearly seen stepping away from him with his concealed carry gun. Then, with ICE still on him, a shot is fired and the agents scatter. Pretti stands briefly before obviously falling to the pavement, either dead or dying. Then, 9 more shots were fired into his prone body because the “agent felt his life was threatened”.
You can buy into the government’s bullshit if that makes you happy. But I think most true Americans find what ICE did that day (and many days before and after) to be nothing but a scene out of Russia, not America. And, just like Russia, the government will not allow for an honest investigation into that murder. He’s labeled a “domestic terrorist” who “threatened the lives of ICE agents” and was there to “commit a mass shooting”. That’s what the government is saying. You believe it. I don’t and there are a lot more like me in this country so I hope we still have a chance.
By the way, just to let you know, I have a concealed weapon license and I exercise my right. And like Mr. Pretti, I carry extra magazines. So you’re welcome to you opinion just as I’m welcome to mine.
How was church today? Any sermons about how to treat your fellow man?
C C says
Thank you Jim for so clearly and eloquently stating what is obvious to all of us who are appalled by the terroist actions of Trumps stormtroopers.
CC
JD says
Any person who carries doesn’t equip extra mags. It’s not COD.
Jim says
My trainer encouraged all of us to carry at least one extra mag. If you also concealed carry, I guess your trainer did not.
We could argue the pro’s and con’s but what would be the point?
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
You’ve never carried before have you
Edith Campins says
So, Brian, did you feel the same way when Kyle Ritenhouse killed those other Amwricans?
Janet Sullivan says
If my wife had just kept her mouth closed I wouldn’t have had to beat her.
Sherry says
@ Janet. . . a great analogy! Thanks!
Florida Voter says
@Brian: “And why armed?”
A long time ago, some people wrote:
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State …”
T says
Brain is dum dum want gum gum
John says
Even if Alex was “innocent” I’m still glad they shot him. Stay out of the way and stop obstructing justice! Liberals are going to learn quickly how much they value illegal Somalis.
FlaPharmTech says
So John, to be clear, you’re glad they murdered him then!?
Say it!
Laurel says
He did, and he didn’t even bother to try to make it logical…because he couldn’t.
Sad, isn’t it?
The dude says
Were you as glad when Ashley Babbit was shot?
Mark Webb says
John, based on your thinking.
Law inforcement shouls have shot every January 6th person that entered the government building.
Who showed control I wonder?
DMFinFlorida says
Mark Webb: Bravo. Sadly, those who NEED to understand that concept will ignore it.
Sherry says
@ john. . . not to confuse you with actual “FACTS”. . . but, the vast majority of Somalis ARE LEGALLY in the US:
Almost 58% of the Somalis in Minnesota were born in the U.S. Of the foreign-born Somalis in Minnesota, an overwhelming majority –- 87% — are naturalized U.S. citizens.
Truth Out says
Brian, you are the moron for believing the ICE bullshit account of the shooting. I have watched several tapes and heard several witness accounts. The victim had a legal permit to carry a gun. He was there helping a woman up out of the snow (he was a registered nurse) where an ICE agent had pushed her (she apparently called that poor defenseless agent a name). The agent then sprayed the nurse in the face with tear gas. As the victim was struggling around trying to see where he was going, about half a dozen ICE murderers jumped him and began beating him while he was on the ground. Then one of the ICE murderers stood up and shot the victim dead.
Pat Stote says
That is exactly what happened
Brian says
So Truth, do you concede that if these miscreants and malcontents had not chosen to insert themselves into this situation, they would not have been shoved, pepper sprayed, or shot? Simple stuff, actually.
Truth Out says
I saw no miscreants nor malcontents, just people exercising their legally guaranteed right to protest against an invasion of goons and thugs and murderers.
Skibum says
Truth Out… I need to make one very significant correction in your statement above. Those ICE agents jumped him and began beating him while he was cowering on the ground after being sprayed with pepper spray – yes. But the correction necessary, is that one of the unidentified agents removed Pretti’s lawfully carried firearm FROM IT’S HOLSTER on Pretti’s waist, THEN they shot the unarmed man to death.
That information is extremely important to add, showing that Pretti was no threat to those federal agents and that the subsequent shooting and killing of that man was NOT justified by anything that Pretti did.
Sherry says
Thank You Skibum! That is precisely what the videos showed! Pretti was straight out murdered by two ICE goons!
I have zero trust that the corrupt trump administration will hold the murderers accountable!
Palm Coast Citizen says
Even if why he was there was stupid, we still need to hold our government officials accountable for how they handle these situations.
He’s dead now–after at least 10 shots, after a gun was taken. This is not acceptable.
Skibum says
Brian wants so desperately to be a couch cop, but he only reveals himself to be an ignorant POS who defends government sanctioned murder of someone who is lawfully carrying a concealed weapon. And not only was the murdered victim carrying lawfully, once he was thrown to the ground and his gun was removed from the holster on his waist, the federal agents surrounding and on top of him had REMOVED the potential threat. The victim was unarmed, no threat to those federal agents who should have cuffed him if they were going to take him into custody. But no, they fired at least 10 times into his body on the ground, murdering an unarmed man. THAT is what the videos from multiple angles show.
Brian, I suppose just like during the Jan. 6 insurrection, saw only what our convicted felon and his lying administration officials told him he is seeing. He believes nothing except what the convicted felon’s lying officials want him to believe. He sounds as if is perfectly happy that another citizen of Minneapolis has been dispatched like a rabid dog in the streets of that city where out of control, brutal, masked federal thugs with guns are violating American citizens’ constitutional rights and being as aggressive and violent as possible as directed by the convicted felon’s administration officials, just trying to justify imposing the Insurrection Act that THEY escalated the city toward!
Brian would be well advised to never, ever try to be a REAL law enforcement officer, because REAL, competent, trained and experienced LEOs just like myself are reviewing the shocking videos of this unwarranted murder, and we know if it were one of us who had done what those federal officers has done, we would be facing extremely severe consequences… not only criminal, but civil as well.
Will these federal agents face ANY consequences by the court or their agency? Will there even be any thorough investigation into this latest murder, or will this one too be swept under the rug, because already without ANY investigation results, the idiot federal sycophants are standing in front of TV cameras and proclaiming the shooting of this unarmed man justified. Justified??? How can anyone watching what transpired justify that murder???
Bob says
“So, what kind of moron injects himself, armed, into this obviously volatile situation?”
The kind of person who’s dedicated their life to caring for the sick and injured.
The kind of person who knows what evil is when he sees it before his eyes.
The kind of person who stands up to evil when he sees its work.
The kind of person who becomes a hero to every decent person who will paraphrase Patrick Henry
In a cry of “Give me decency or give me death!
The Sturmabteilung is here.
We stand now for common decency, or we die like rats cowering in a corner.
Pierre Tristam says
Thank you Bob.
Sherry says
Thank You Bob! Excellent Comment!
Billy B says
It’s time for ice to go to florida especially Miami and all of the farms and hotels.
Tired of it says
Won’t happen, Florida is now a red state with a Republican governor. The ICE goons are only targeting blue states, all part of the toddler in chief’s revenge plan against those who didn’t vote for him.
Truth Out says
Ice was in Palm Coast yesterday at Target. If ICE snatched anyone it might show up in the Sheriff’s logs. Yea, us taxpayers are paying for incarcerating these unfortunate souls.
Bob says
Not to mention our tax dollars helped murder Mr. Pretti. We each need to ponder that carefully
Skibum says
Don’t be dumb enough to try to equate a few ICE agents showing up somewhere in Palm Coast or any other city in FL with what is going on in Minn. FL has the 3rd highest number of undocumented immigrants of all 50 states, just behind TX, which is just behind CA.
Brain teaser for ya: If immigration violators were really the goal of the felon in the WH… if TX has an estimated 2.6 million undocumented immigrants and FL has an estimated 1.9 million undocumented immigrants, and Minn. has only an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 undocumented immigrants in the entire state according to federal statistics… why surge those 3,000 federal agents to the tiny 2% problem state instead of TX and FL where the REAL problem supposedly resides???
Don’t spend too much time scratching your head trying to come up with the right answer. It is POLITICS, pure politics! Minn: democrat governor running mate of Kamala Harris, democrat mayor of Minneapolis, extremely despised democrat member of Congress Ilhan Omar. The convicted felon in the WH has been trying to govern for, and make political points with his maga base.
There won’t ever be a surge of 3,000 masked federal agents coming to either TX or FL despite their high number of undocumented immigrants, simply because both states have maga supporting, brown nosed governors. TRUTH! It was NEVER about “immigration” in the first place… just political retribution.
BillC says
Another lynching by ICE.
BillC says
PS “Lynching is an extrajudicial killing by a group. It is most often used to characterize informal public executions by a mob in order to punish an alleged or convicted transgressor or to intimidate others. It can also be an extreme form of informal group social control, and it is often conducted with the display of a public spectacle for maximum intimidation.”
— Wikipedia
NJ says
The Gov and Mayor ( both SHIT4BRAINS ) must RESIGN Now before they more people KILLED!!!
Tired of it says
How about trump, who created this horrible mess, resigning,beforemoreAmericans are killed.
Steve says
I thought the open border for 4 years created the mess.
Laurel says
You think immigration is new? Who do you think was doing the housekeeping at Mar A Lago, or the many Trump properties?
So easy to narrow it down, eh?
Bethechange says
The kind of moron protected by the Constitution to be there. It’s been reported that he had a legal permit to carry concealed. And no reports have indicated that the situation, up to that point was volatile; obviously or otherwise. Please read the Constitution, study the definitions of legal, terrorist, due process, among others before you refer to an American citizen as moronic, or a former high school educator as an idiot. And speaking of Governor Walz his take is simple enough for even you to comprehend: unless ICE agents or Border Patrol agents are properly trained, keep them out of his state and away from his citizens. Today they come for the others but tomorrow it may be you.
DaleL says
I’ve now watched two different videos of the killing. A clearer one is linked to this Huffpost story and is on X.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-greenland-threats-ice-minnesota-crackdown_n_696f517de4b03601d1a62631/liveblog_6975364de4b031f3fa687887
Alex Pretti’s “crime” was to come to the aid of a woman than an I.C.E. agent had pushed to the ground. He positioned himself between the agent and the woman. He was then sprayed with a chemical agent and assaulted. Once he was on the ground, he was shot multiple times.
I did not see, in either video, that Mr. Pretti threatened or assaulted any I.C.E. agent. My opinion is that this is another case of murder by members of Mr. Trumps “Brute Squad”. The intent seems to be to inflame the situation and justify invoking the Insurrection Act.
There must be something really, really bad in the Epstein files.
c says
“The intent seems to be to inflame the situation and justify invoking the Insurrection Act.”
Bingo! We have a winner. The Orange One has been trying to incite any actions that he can then use to “justify” more invasive attacks on citizens and legal immigrants,
May not be necessary now that the Supreme Court ids allowing ICE to write their own “warrants” to invade.
tooManyBobs says
“Mr. Trumps “Brute Squad””
Call these cowardly masked dog poops what they are, Sturmabteilung.
Bob says
When will this Administration learn that violence resolves NOTHING. There is a more logical way to resolve the immigration issues. It takes intelligent conversations and solutions not violence.
Congress re-read your oath of office to protect and serve the USA and all its people, do your job or its time for you to resign.
John Stove says
These DHS “Officers” are nothing more than wannabe cops or wannabe military folks who couldn’t pass the police exams or military MEP’s or mental exam. They have insufficient training, have no de-escalation skills and no means of non-lethal method of arrest.
The fact that all those “officers” piling on top of the one man still couldn’t subdue him (illegally) tells you how untrained and incapable they are.
These “officers” aren’t heroes they are a rabble of imbecilic goons who have no honor and history will always remember them for what they are along with this total piece of excrement the President is along with the complicit administration.
James says
https://flaglerlive.com/wp-content/uploads/ice-killing.jpg
Who in the Trump administration thinks they are kidding?
Take a good look at the photo. Do these people look like professionals?
They don’t even have matching uniforms… anyone can put on a makeshift vest with a made up “ICE” logo on it… and with face masks no less… for all one knows they could have just popped up out of a Russian sub.
Time to find an exit strategy. Clearly these “ICE squads” aren’t acomplishing anything useful at this point… that is, if they ever did. Certainly nothing that can’t be done by local law enforcement now that all the “worst of the worst” have been rounded up… right?
Just an opinion.
Bo Peep says
Stay away from the agents and what they are doing is the best way to “NOT” get shot.
Nephew of Uncle Sam says
Then one day they can come breaking down your door and trampling your Constitutional rights because you did nothing to save your Democracy.
PaulT says
It feels like we’re watching reruns.
Government hit squads from the Versailles Army murdering Communards and bystanders during the 1871 Paris Commune.
Gestapo agents and SS members rounding up undesirables after the 1933 Reichstag fire and shooting the occasional passer by to set an example.
ICE and DHS agents in Minneapolis assaulting, restraining then shooting someone because he was observing and using a phone to record their actions.
Greg Bovino, chief of the Border Patrol operation said agents were on a targeted mission to apprehend one individual immigrant with a history of violence. But he didn’t explain why that ‘operation’ needed a squad of more than a dozen agents and the blocking off of streets on a busy, protest filled, Saturday morning.
Almost as if federal law enforcement was seeking yet another confrontation.
As to the Sunday TV show declarations, ‘Ice are the real victims’ ‘Armed man attacks ICE’, just watch the videos and read the witness statements then you’ll understand that the govenment’s version is bull**** and just a parcel of lies.
Brad W says
It is very sad as I read through these comments and those who are attempting to justify the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Goode along with other egregious abuses by federal agents. Arguments such as if they just stayed home. If they just just obeyed.
I would like to remind those individuals that we have a 1st Amendment codified in our Constitution that states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” We have a 2nd Amendment that states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” and we have a 4th Amendment that states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” All of these Amendments were written to protect the rights and well-being from the government.
On March 12, 1770 following the Boston Massacre that occurred on March 5, 1770 it was written in the The Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal, “The Town of Boston affords a recent and melancholy Demonstration of the destructive consequences of quartering troops among citizens in a Time of Peace, under a pretence of supporting the Laws and aiding Civil Authority ; every considerate and unprejudic’d person among us was deeply imprest with the Apprehension of these Consequences when it was known that a Number of Regiments were ordered to this Town under such a Pretext, but in Reality to inforce oppressive Measures ; to awe & controul the legislative as well as executive Power of the Province, and to quell a Spirit of Liberty, which however it may have been basely oppos’d and even ridicul’d by some, would do Honor to any Age or Country.”
Alex Pretti, Renee Goode, and the thousands of others taking to the streets in protest putting their lives on the line are the true patriots. They are Americans standing up for our rights and the rights of future generations. They are standing up to a government who is crossing lines seeking to oppress and infringe upon the rights of others.
Don’t be fooled that this is about immigration. It’s not. What is happening and the action by this government and these federal agencies is trampling upon our Constitution and a desecration and disrespect to everyone who ever stepped up, stood up, served, and/or sacrificed for this Country.
Laurel says
Thank you Brad W for keeping our Constitution in front of us, in a time of need.
Pogo says
@At least we’re safe from genocide Joe
Skibum says
This morning (Sunday) it is being reported that AG Pam Bondi sent a letter to Gov. Waltz with specific conditions he must agree to in order for federal ICE agents to be pulled from cities in Minnesota. One of the conditions outlined in the letter is that Waltz must turn over state voter records to the federal government! Can you believe such nonsense?! The ridiculous demands that are coming directly from the Attorney General of the United States are purely political in nature, and a tell that the surge of more than 5,000 federal agents into that state was NEVER about targeting the “worst of the worst” undocumented aliens, or even a more broad effort on immigrants. It is and always was meant to be a means to gather political advantage from a democratic leaning populace, and to try to coerce state officials into giving up voter information that the federal government is not privy to specifically because elections are run by each state, NOT the federal government. Voter information is confidential and restricted to official use only by each state’s election officials and state government, NOT the feds.
It is also being reported that a state judge signed an order directing federal agents to allow Minn. state law enforcement and prosecutors access to the crime scene and to have access to all evidence gathered from the crime scene in this latest ICE shooting. When state law enforcement officials approached the crime scene, federal agents with their batons out, stopped state law enforcement from entering the crime scene and they REFUSED to be served with the court order from the judge! To be clear, there is NO absolute immunity from either federal or state prosecution of federal law enforcement personnel! They have a legal duty to obey both state and federal laws in the performance of their duties. They have no legal authority to refuse lawful court orders from a judge, but they are thumbing their noses at court orders anyway because they apparently already know the convicted felon in the WH has said to his sycophants in charge of these ICE agents that they will be pardoned if arrested and prosecuted for any crimes. However, that does not apply to state crimes, so they are illegally ignoring state court orders and refusing to even acknowledge that state law enforcement has legal authority to be part of any investigation as well as all of the evidence gathered.
The federal government is acting like Nazi Germany, not in accordance with their duties and obligations under the law and our Constitution! If their ICE agents have done nothing wrong as they claim, they should have no reason in the world not to cooperate and share investigative information. For that matter, if their federal officers were acting in accordance with their own rules and policies and not being aggressive brutal thugs, there would be no reason for wearing masks and having no visible ID so citizens could identify those officers by their name tags. The fact that ICE agents are allowed to be completely anonymous is to avoid anyone identifying them so there would be absolutely NO consequences for their actions, which is unheard of in law enforcement.
Laurel says
So, let me see…a man helps a woman up off the street, which immediately makes him a “terrorist” by Noem and Trump. He then gets sprayed with a blinding chemical, six federal agents jump him, because they are in fear for all of their six lives, they grab the legal gun from behind the victim’s back, THEN shoot him ten times. You know, just in case he can out muscle all of them. Maybe beat them all up with his phone. Maybe rise again after nine shots.
After the shooting, and killing of this man, the agents get confused and start darting away. Then, federal agents refuse (again, like at the scene of Good’s killing) to let local police take charge of the scene for investigation, local investigation being normal procedure, and refuse to tell the POLICE the agents’ names. Why can’t the police know the agents’ names? The federal government immediately (again) without investigation, or any type of background checks, determine, like Good with her car full of toys, that the dead man is a “terrorist.”
I woke up last night, around 4am, and couldn’t fall back to sleep. What kept me awake was, the realization that Trump, who has successfully normalized many crazy things we normally wouldn’t accept, is normalizing the murder of American citizens in our streets. Unidentified men, with ski masks, are killing American citizens in broad daylight. A mother. A nurse. You may not want to hear this, but this is exactly what the Nazis did. Your grandparents fought the Nazis to give us all a better life, free from this type of terror, and now many of you are accepting the lies, blatant lies, and making excuses because it somehow serves a purpose for you, or so you think.
Those of you who are supporting this horrid behavior are people I don’t want to know. Young people are getting depressed, and feel their country is slipping away from them. It is. Their future is looking bleak to them, and they are on tik tok complaining that they see nothing ahead for them. The vast majority of them don’t give a damn if there is a immigrant maid down the street working at the local motel, but they do give a damn about their democracy being trashed. Their Constitution being spit on by the man who swore to uphold it.
And those of you who say the protesters are stupid for being there, you are cowards! You are letting this happen! So go ahead, hide indoors and let the braver people fight for you. You damn chickenshits! You bitched about gun rights being taken away, and now, demonize a man who legally had a permitted gun, he didn’t use. The second amendment was purposely written so that the people could fight back against a tyrannical government. Well, it’s here.
And those of you, who are Republicans, who are disturbed by the current events (as you should be) you need to call your representatives and voice your dismay. Stop this nonsense! You can do it! It is not about immigration, and you damn well know it. Do something about it. I know, as an Independent, and my husband as a Republican, will most likely never vote for a Republican again. If you refuse to stand up, you can just sit back, and watch either your party, or your freedoms, or both, all fade away.
How many American citizen deaths are acceptable to you?
Kennan says
Laurel, thank you.
I was reading this post with tears in my eyes. I won’t lie.
Sometimes I feel rather helpless, but knowing that you,Skibum, Sherry, Ray W, Samuel, and of course Pierre and others are out there helps.
They say we can’t change the world, but maybe one person at a time we find common ground.
Thank you. Thank you all very much.
Sherry says
Thank you Kennan!
You are quite often the clear voice of heart felt reason. Those of us who still live in “fact based” reality need to continue speaking the “truth”. . . from a moral point of view, as well as an evidence based one. “If” we are able help others to understand that they are being “duped” by FOX propaganda, we will have accomplished something really positive for the soul of our human community, our future generations, and our country.
Skibum says
Kennan, all is not lost. It is not hopeless, even though it may feel like it at times. We all need to continue to support each other, to do what we can to let our friends and neighbors know we care. We care about what is going on in our community and our nation, and understand that for many of us, it is extremely difficult and stressful to bear witness to such unnecessary violence and brutality perpetrated by our own government on its own citizens.
The tide is already changing… more people are standing up and speaking out. More republican voters and their party’s members of Congress are changing their minds and saying they have had enough. They never voted for this or expected this convicted felon president to be THIS bad, apparently, despite the clear warnings prior to the last election when they held their noses and voted for him anyway.
Regardless of how much or how little each of us are willing or physically able to do at this critical moment in our nation’s history, we must all commit to reaching out to our circle of friends and family to ensure that everyone understands that democracy is up to us, and we make a difference in our collective futures by VOTING in the upcoming midterm elections. If America overturns the republican majority in both houses of Congress, the felon president’s assault on this country will be STOPPED and he will certainly be held accountable to the American people for all of the damage and harm he is causing.
American democracy is much stronger, more powerful than one convicted felon currently in the WH. Our nation and it’s constitution and law will survive long after he is rotting in his grave, as long as Americans stand together and stand up for one another.
Gina says
Pam Bondi sent Minnesota officials a letter saying ICE would leave the state if Minnesota turns over its voter files to the Trump Administration. This in not about immigration policy. Trump said he won Minn. 3 times which is not true.
PaulT says
All valid comments Laurel but judging from the number of ‘likes’ @Brian’s first post received, a lot of our neighbors are either cowards or fully endorse the Authoritarian State of Mad King Donald which ignores our Constitutional rights.
When the build up of ICE is complete and it’s one of the largest armed forces in the world. When it’s agents sprea@d to our neck of the woods which they will eventually. I wonder what Brian and his friends will do while masked ICE ‘warriors’ come looking for their Brown/Black/Asian/Russian neighbors and end up blocking their streets then knocking on the wrong door, their door, before breaking it down without a warrant. Will they hide or run or cringe and show obeisance to their new masters? Apparently they’ve decided not to ‘stand their ground’ or boldly ‘open carry’ their firearms nor will they dare to record the chaos with their phones or stand in protest beside their neighbors.
It seems that @Brian and his friends will bow and plead for mercy from the Mad King’s men in this part of their so called ‘Free State of Florida’.
Marlee says
To Brian says, To Billy Bob says, To NJ says,
Watch the video! …..and you will believe your LYING eyes.
It is unbelievable how some people reading FlaglerLive can be soooooo gullible!
Truth Out says
According to KAIR, a Minneapolis TV station, the Medical Examiner has ruled the death a homicide.
Mothersworry says
There were at least 3 gunshot wounds in his back. Goode was killed by a gunshot round to the left temple. Anybody see a pattern here?
Laurel says
Motherworry: Yes, I see the pattern. The pattern is not about immigration, it’s about showing the U.S. citizen that Trump is in charge, and we will bend to his will. He has the ability to shoot and kill someone (U.S. citizens) on Fifth Avenue and get away with it. It’s about Steven Miller’s white wet dream. It’s about Project 2025. It’s about wealthy pedophiles’ protected, continued behavior, and that children don’t matter.
It’s about power, ego and bitcoins.
James says
There’s a video up on The Washington Post website which shows the deceased just before being shot by ICE agents.
It clearly seems to imply that the victim did not have his handgun drawn, but that that handgun was holstered. It shows one of the ICE agents removing it as the victim was subdued beneath a mound of other agents. Including the agent that appears to fire the first shot.
Was the deceased brandishing the weapon prior to this?… It doesn’t appear so in my opinion, judging by the portion of the video I’ve seen, and how the ICE agent needed to “tug” it loose, it appears the weapon was secure.
Was it ever removed from the holster in the first place and then put back by the deceased, in the prior moments? Don’t know.
Just my opinion.
Republican Dave says
The Republican Party has always supported the Second Amendment, the right to keep and bare arms. So when a man goes into the street to protest, and while not using his permitted weapon, gets shot 10 times, that is murder. Those of you who claim to be Republicans, and support this murder, are not Republicans. You are just men wearing red hats. That’s all.
PaulT says
Incidentally, our current Republican House Rep commented on the shooting on Sunday morning. his X post read:
“An armed seditionist attacked federal law enforcement today as they were rounding up foreign invaders in Minneapolis. The insurrectionist was put down. Well done”.
Republican Dave says
PaulT: Are you referring to Perez? I would like to know who to campaign against. Thanks.
PaulT says
No, closer to home. That X post was by our District 6 DC House Rep, Randy Fine.
Sherry says
@ Paul T. . . randy fine= a piece of excrement that needs to be flushed. . . twice!
Kennan says
Alex Pretti, an American. A legal conceal carry gun owner. The ICU nurse at the veterans Hospital no less. He watched federal ICE Fuckery implemented on a woman on the street in Minnesota. Alex Pretti came to the woman’s aid, was thrown to the ground by at least five ICE Agents. He was punched, pushed kicked, and then shot 10 times when it was discovered that he had a legal firearm on him. A firearm he did not brandish.
America’s favorite puppy killer: Christie Knome had the audacity to state that Alex Pretti was an agitator, and that he was armed with the intention of doing harm and inflicting maximum damage to ICE agents. What a statement to make in the face of, avideo that directly refute that, as well as telling the press that Moore will be revealed, pending, and investigation While simultaneously playing judge, jury, and executioner. In this case literally.
America, we know who the bad guys are. I will say it again…. America. We know who the bad guys are.
The ICE Play book is as follows: First of all, wear a mask! Don’t forget that damn mask!! For Christ sake!!! We are going to undermine the constitution. Fuck due process, and we don’t need a warrant either! What’s his name? I don’t know. He had an accent though. Oh, we don’t care if you’re a citizen or not. Don’t try to protect anyone either. When we inflict maximum damage to car windows, front doors, throw mothers and fathers to the ground, separate them from their children, and pepper spray everyone that makes eye contact with us. When you stand your ground and merely try to protect others from our Brand of” Cowboy justice”…. Well, then we get to use these awesome guns of ours and shoot you in the face or anywhere else we please.
Finally, after we shoot, you dead in the street we will slander you. Kill and slander. Kill and slander. That is our directive.
You know, Gaza and the Middle East is a subject that I have some expertise soon. I see some glaring similarities between what ICE Is doing and what the Israeli defense forces do to occupied Palestinian civilians in the strip. I never thought in my wildest dreams. I could be comfortable saying this, but here we are. Maybe Trump wants approval from”Big Daddy Netanyahu”.
The administration. Homeland, security, the justice department, and others gave up on border security. Calling immigrants, rapists, and murderers, because it was proven to all be bullshit. 95% of immigrants documented or not have no criminal charges and/or History.
Let’s start some shit, and when the shit hits the fan we get to start shooting.
America is a country in decline. It has been for decades. We have not been in a war that has not either been a “ False flag” Operation, or just a ideological disagreement with the added acquisition of oil and/Or minerals to give us an advantage economically and politically. Not since World War II has our freedom ever been in jeopardy. Ever!! The difference now is that this administration is way more unbridled and unabashed about its perceived domination. It’s unhinged show of force on Not just the world, but now our own citizens. This administration could potentially get our kids in wars all over the world.
Again….. This is not hyperbole. These are very obvious breadcrumbs. Authoritarianism. A attempt at some sort of “ Gilded Age”.
If you think this is normal, you don’t get to call yourself in American. Ever. The only way we get to call ourselves great, and to make up for the sins of the past…. The taking of everything, is to understand that we are an immigrant nation. Funny how so many hypocrites say they want people to come into this country legally, but they will treat immigrants and people of color as if it was 1619. Smash them on the head with the mayflower! Treat blacks as if the 1964 civil rights act never happened, all while your four fathers were immigrants too. Although it was way more of an invasion when” Whitey” Did it. Let’s bring the Africans here against their will. They will build the country. For free!!!!
Jesus Christ! How far have we come? Really? “ Shit hole” Countries? Haitians eating pets? Somalian’s taking what’s ours? Helping broker a 21st-century holocaust on Palestinians, and doing it in real time. Live streaming. Not hiding it. Now we will build beachfront hotels for the Rich in Gaza. Hotels on the bodies of dead people. All while we head towards Marshal law as we kill Americans at home.
Skibum says
Many of the current, most recent ICE hires are former military. I say former military instead of veterans because of my personal experience during nearly three decades in law enforcement working alongside competent, law abiding, ethical veterans as opposed to the former. As I rose through the ranks and a hand in interviewing and selecting quite a few new hires into law enforcement jobs, I encountered those who I refer to as former military who seemed even during job interviews as if they were knuckleheads looking to bash some heads without consequence. Believe it or not, I have even been asked during the selection process what kind of guns we carried on the job, and you could almost see the excitement on their faces. It was a good thing some of them were sitting down and their crotches were not visible because I can just imagine some of the people wanting to work in law enforcement getting a hard on just thinking about standing in front of a mirror in a uniform with a BIG gun on their hip. I knew right away the type, and I damn sure didn’t want anyone like that getting hired if I could help prevent it because those types are trouble from day one. But ICE probably just LOVES to hire those idiots who have no business carrying a badge or firearm.
By the way, the person in charge of ICE, Bovino, said all of the ICE agents involved in the shooting have been moved out of state “for their own safety”. What a croc of shit! The real reason is to hide them so state law enforcement investigators cannot identify them or interview them about what happened. Another complete cover-up, if they are allowed to get away with it.
Truth Out says
I had to reread your comment about the deviant applicants and their hard ons acquired when they imagined shooting people. I had this need (not for the aforementioned penises) but to laugh about something. Going back to the two murders by ICE.,Both murderers had six and eight years of service. I wonder how many bodies they left in the remote desert between Mexico and the United States.
Sherry says
Such an Excellent Point. . . Truth Out! Humans ‘ Inhumanity!
Kennan says
Sorry, had a few gaffs in my comments. I’m just so pissed right now. So very very pissed.
JimboXYZ says
When it’s that cold out, I wouldn’t need to be there, neither did this relative victim. When the cold front rolls thru sometime +/- around Tuesday, I won’t be looking to be somewhere I’d never go to protest ICE’s presence, just like I didn’t go to the Democrat Rally locally here in Flagler County on Saturday, when it was a gorgeous 72* F & sunny. Protesting is not my lame hobby, find one, the hobby that’s less dangerous.
At the very least they were arresting this fool. His name didn’t/doesn’t merit a mention as a white male martyr for a cause that doesn’t do anything for him for any benefit whatsoever ? They weren’t ever approaching him anywhere else “in his city” for any charges. Yet, he resisted an arrest obviously & we’re going to hear racial accusations ? All he had to do was avoid the area. If everyone did that, ICE would be the only one’s there, nobody to enforce as law enforcement, no crimes being committed. But that’s just common sense. If you aren’t there, you aren’t there to be shot, questioned. It’s not cowardly to conduct your life for law abiding
Makes one wonder if this center they executed him in front of is one of those havens or fraud & abuse ? Another self inflicted casualty for not exercising common sense & good judgement. Most anyone would avoid running out of gasoline/battery charge in front of that Center ? Why put on your underwear, get dressed to be there ? At 37, he thought he could make a difference ?
Sherry says
In memory of Alex Pretti. . . a truly kind human being. . . the latest tragic victim of trump’s inhumanity! May he rest in peace.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As Minneapolis mourned the intensive care nurse killed by Border Patrol officers in a hail of gunfire, those who knew Alex Pretti came forward Sunday to dispute the narrative of top Trump administration officials that he was a violent “domestic terrorist” and would-be assassin.
Pretti, 37, was remembered as kind and warm-hearted by his family, neighbors and the loved ones of the ailing veterans he treated at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
A video posted to social media showed Pretti reading a final salute at the foot of the flag-draped body of Terrance Lee Randolph, an Air Force vet who died at the hospital in 2024.
“Today we remember that freedom is not free,” Pretti, wearing navy blue scrubs, says in the video. “We have to work for it, nurture it, protect it, and even sacrifice for it.”
Randolph’s son, Mac Randolph, remembered Pretti tending to his father in his final days and said he found the words “very on point” in the wake of Saturday’s deadly shooting.
He was extremely knowledgeable and caring,” Mac Randolph said. “He was able to answer any questions we had and would really hear out our concerns. He treated my father and our family with the utmost dignity and respect. He was truly one of the best of us.”
marlee says
Trump administration now calls gun owners….”Domestic Terrorists”
Steve says
Where was the outrage, protest and commentary when Laken Riley was murdered? Neither murders are appropriate but I don’t recall seeing the same outrage and media publicity for both.
Pierre Tristam says
Laken Riley was not murdered by state agents in an extra-judicial killing reflecting the lawlessness of an administration at war with the people it is supposed to protect. She was murdered, as are almost 5,000 women and girls every year in this country, by an individual acting as perversely and brutally as most of those responsible for murdering women and girls, all of the murderers being as American as you are. The only reason you know Laken Riley’s name–the reason you don’t care about the other 5,000–is because her killer was undocumented, providing a fantastic opportunity to play up your cynically opportunistic narrative about migrants while ignoring the epidemic of violence against women in your own country. Riley was raped by her murderer, then raped again by the propagandists. The only question you should be bringing up, if you are to bring up Laken Riley’s name, is to ask why the other thousands of women and girls’ murders draw no outrage, including your hypocritical one.
Sherry says
Thank You Pierre!
Sherry says
Awwww steve. . . now did you just “copy and paste” that asinine comment from FOX BS or social media?
You do know that murderer of Laken Riley was sentenced to life in prison, right? Do you really think the same justice will be meted out to those ICE thugs?
Just because those two victims were both involved in the same profession does NOT make these two cases similar. . . except to the non-thinking Facebook/FOX addicted.
You’ve managed to make yourself look like a complete fool in this discussion.
Gina says
The sheep trying to gaslight people that they did not witness a murder.
The thinking is that if they say it enough that people will come to believe it.
Sherry says
Absolutely Gina! It’s astounding that the Maga mindless zombies somehow do not understand that the “majority” of US citizens still possess the ability to “think” beyond what the government/FOX/Facebook tells us to believe!
Can you imagine what trump and his gestapo goons would get away with if so many people didn’t “VIDEO” these killings? LIES are absolutely SOP with trump and his gang of Maga cult members!
Gina says
Sherry: THE TRUTH THREATENS THEIR POWER! And they
are scurrying now trying to develop a different strategy. Trump
knows his kool aid drinking sheep will not abandon, remember this:
Donald Trump: I could “shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any …
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-i-could-shoot...
Jan 23, 2016 · “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?” he said, referring to the major street in New York City that cuts through…
Sherry says
You are so right Gina! We are now to that “horrific” place that proves that many of the Maga faithful are so brainwashed and indoctrinated that they trying to “justify” trump’s gestapo goons murdering American “White” Citizens!
What if we didn’t have those VIDEOS that expose the LIES of the trump criminal enterprise???
Maga elected a “Convicted Felon/Twice Impeached/Sexual Assaulter” as President ! We now have a mafia criminal mob boss and his murderous henchmen running our country into a “banana republic” gutter filled with fascist dictators!
Florida Voter says
Why am I not seeing any comment about how ICE are NOT POLICE!! They are Immigration Enforcement. Until States start asserting their sovereignty, nothing will change. Start passing laws:
1) any out-of-state law enforcement (ICE is this, but not police) must be accompanied by local law enforcement except … add some conditions that ICE cannot get around
2) any out-of-state law enforcement or otherwise armed government agents must send State law enforcement a list of all agents participating in exercises and actions, except ..
3) any out-of-state law enforcement involved discharging a firearm outside of training exercises must surrender to State law enforcement until the state concludes their investigation …
and so on. States have rights, Federal laws are supreme until tested in the courts, but nothing above should cross that line. I’m sure laws can be worded so that they are within the State’s constitutional powers.
DaleL says
@Florida Voter:
The Tenth Amendment: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
The supremacy of federal laws derives from the Constitution. I agree that States need to push back. Minnesota should seek to extradite and try the I.C.E. agents for murder. Will SCOTUS really side with this Republican administration? Will SCOTUS rule that the Constitution delegates to the United States government the authority for federal agents to conduct extrajudicial killings?
Further, unless SCOTUS rules differently in the future, Presidential pardons do not apply to State criminal convictions. A state conviction for murder is not subject to Presidential pardon.
Sherry says
Dale L. . . Absolutely brilliant! You should make that suggestion to Governor Walz. . . seriously!
The trouble is that it is likely that the “cover up” is already so extensive that state officials will not be able to obtain the names of the ICE goons involved. That’s the reasoning for the masks and lack of IDs/warrants to begin with. . . so the ICE gestapo members can abuse/maim/kill with impunity.
DaleL says
There is no statute of limitations for murder in any State in the U.S.A., including Minnesota. Aiding and abetting a murder suspect is also a crime. The killer of Ms. Good is known. The killers of Mr. Pretti will eventually be known. Mr. Trump and his Republican enablers will not be in office forever. I have confidence that there will eventually an accounting for these killers and their co-conspirators.
To believe otherwise, is to give up hope. To give up hope in America, our Constitution, Courts, and the people is to become as debased and selfish as the money grubbing billionaires and sycophants who make up this Republican Trump regime.
Sherry says
You are absolutely correct Dale L.! Can’t wait for 2028!
Sigh says
Copilot Search
Is it a crime to interfere with ice?
Yes, interfering with ICE operations can be considered a crime, potentially leading to federal charges, fines, and imprisonment.
Legal Implications of Interfering with ICE
1) Obstruction of Justice: Federal law criminalizes obstructing or interfering with federal officers, including ICE agents. This can include actions such as physically blocking their operations or resisting their authority. Under 18 U.S.C. § 111, simple assault or resistance can carry penalties of up to one year in prison, while more serious offenses can lead to longer sentences.
2) Potential Charges: Individuals who interfere with ICE may face various charges, including:
+ Assaulting federal officers: This can lead to felony charges, especially if bodily injury occurs.
+ Obstruction of federal functions: This includes any actions that impede ICE’s ability to perform its duties.
+ Harboring undocumented immigrants: This is another serious charge that can arise from interference with ICE operations.
3) First Amendment Rights: While individuals have the right to observe and record law enforcement activities, they do not have the right to interfere with those activities. Legal observers can document interactions but must comply with law enforcement instructions to avoid obstruction charges.
4) Consequences of Interference: Federal prosecutors have shown a willingness to pursue serious charges against individuals who physically obstruct ICE operations. This includes cases where individuals have been charged with felony counts for resisting or assaulting federal officers during immigration enforcement actions.
Conclusion
Interfering with ICE operations is not only discouraged but can lead to significant legal consequences. Individuals are encouraged to exercise their rights to observe and document law enforcement activities while ensuring they do not cross the line into interference. If confronted by ICE, it is advisable to comply with their instructions and seek legal counsel if necessary.
James says
They could have at least stopped a moment to offer him a last cigarette.
Just an opinion.
Truth Out says
sigh: the murdered victim was trying to assist a woman who had been pushed into the snow by an ICE agent when he was assaulted by the six ICE murderers, pepper sprayed, beaten while lying on the ground.and ultimately shot and killed. There was no interaction for him to comply with. So take your copilot and find the right questions.You obviously don’t know how it works.
T says
Disgraceful maga
Bethechange says
Bovino heading out to pasture. ICE and Border Patrol leaving Minneapolis. Seems the American people do not support the annihilation of our democracy. Pressure with unrelenting peaceful protests, prayers and calls to Republicans representatives.
Laurel says
Yeah, Trump is backpedaling already, due to business pressures, and citizen pressures. It might look like Noem will be their fall guy. No more posing for action photos.
The Border Patrol needs to be sent back to the border. They have no business inland. All the new hires should be pulled aside, and put through the normal five month training instead of the interesting number of 47 days (which is an admission of incompetence). ICE and Border agents’ names, involved in the two murders, the shooting of the guy in the leg, the shooting loss of another guy’s eye, and all personnel names involved in actions to be litigated, should be turned over to the State of Minnesota’s law enforcement authorities, and to be shared with the federal government, in joint investigations (not that Patel is to be trusted). I’m certain DOGE can dig up a database of names of all agents, in all positions.
I said, awhile back, that Trump would cause chaos and extreme taxpayer funded litigation. He has exceeded my expectations.
Oh, and last but not least, Baker Act the MF.
Gina says
Noem, Barbie ICE posing with her 50,000 Rolex watch on her
puppy killing wrist, losing her position is not enough, she is
more like an accessory to a murder, lying for coverup of a murder,
she needs to be indicted. They should also look into this Corey
Lewdosky, whatever his effin name is who is always by her
side, what’s up with that?
Ray W. says
98 comments of all types and counting. Many perspectives, many explanations. One commenter expresses how glad he is that Alex Pretti is dead.
Here are a few more perspectives, drawn from Greg Abbot, the New York Post, a Republican Congressman, and a Republican strategist, put together by a Newsweek reporter.
According to the reporter, Texas Governor Greg Abbot recently expressed his view that the current administration needs to “recalibrate” its Minnesota immigration enforcement approach. Apparently, his thinking is that immigration enforcement can still be effective without “causing the kinds of problems and fighting” we all are seeing in communities, i.e., there just has to be a better way.
There is merit to such a perspective. Yes, for some time there was political value to be gained from the White House “in your face” approach espoused by Stephen Miller. But his calling Alex Pretti an “assassin” has fallen flat across the political spectrum. The “domestic terrorist” angle just doesn’t hunt. And breaking down front doors without warrants isn’t aging well, either.
To this unflattering White House approach, the New York Post editorialized it as appearing as a “terrible miscalculation.”
The Post editorial went further:
“The hasty and misleading rhetoric needs to stop. … Any reasonable person who has watched the videos knows by now that Pretti was not waving his gun around.”
The above-mentioned Republican strategist, Alex Patton, said:
“Is immigration enforcement at risk of shifting from a Republican strength to a political liability? Short answer? Yes. … This is easy. Most Americans don’t like a militarized force killing citizens nor a government sponsored snuff film.”
He added:
“Do current tactics make it harder for GOP candidates to campaign on immigration enforcement without future backlash? Yes. … Trump will never lose his hardcore base, but he is losing non-MAGA Republicans and Independents in droves.”
A House Republican, Thomas Massie, warned that “carrying a firearm is not a death sentence.”
Make of this what you will.
Me?
For I don’t know how many years, I warned clients never to break the grocery store rule. By the time any of us are six years old, we all know that if we grab the biggest, most expensive, bag of candy off the candy shelf and ask Mom to buy it, she will say no. But if we grab a single big candy bar while in the checkout line, a bar bigger than what Mom normally agrees to, she just might permit it.
But by the time we reach adulthood, we magically and completely forget the grocery store rule.
Clients just out of prison who were facing new violent offenses commonly insisted to me that I ask for time served and six months of probation. How many times does anyone think they got it?
Not even the most hardened and pestilential partisan member of faction, your everyday MAGA loyalist, can watch the snuff films and then agree with Miller that Pretti was an assassin. Miller is just asking for too much, even from the blindered who wander among us.
This will prove to be a very bad long-lasting look for the anti-immigrant faction that wanders among us. There just aren’t that many of them. They lack the leverage they think they have. If they want to persuade the skeptical, they just can’t break the grocery store rule and expect to win.
The murderous soul who is glad that Alex Pretti died is but a tiny minority of thought. He doesn’t need to be persuaded. Or dissuaded, for that matter. It is the mass of the disgusted who just walked away from the Republicans who have to be brought back into the fold. Claiming that Alex Pretti deserved death won’t accomplish that.
Ray W. says
101 comments and counting.
Here is another perspective on the Alex Pretti shooting, this time from the Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal, as presented via a Daily Beast story.
In response to the Trump administration effort to cast the incident as an act of domestic terrorism aimed at the “massacre” of ICE agents, the editorial board wrote that the effort has turned out “catastrophic”, both morally and from a public relations standpoint; it has become a “moral and political debacle.”
People do not want to watch agents on roadways shooting people or arresting five-year-olds.
The board wrote:
“Ms. Noem and Mr. Miller aren’t credible spokesmen. … Their social media and cable-TV strategy is to own the libs, rather than to persuade Americans. This is backfiring against Republicans.” President Trump ought to pause the Minnesota ICE surge and launch a more conciliatory approach to ease tensions. ICE efforts should be “aimed at criminals, not at hotel maids and gardeners.”
As an aside, a Fox News reporter tweeted:
“Whether he likes it or not, most of the burden lies with President Trump who controls ICE.”
Make of this what you will.
Ray W. says
First in an editorial column published by The Bulwark and second during an appearance on Morning Joe, retired General Mark Hertling explained a perspective perhaps less than fully explored in other coverage of the Alex Pretti shooting.
This from the editorial column:
“If this were a military operation and I were in charge, I would not hesitate to relieve senior ICE and DHS operational leaders immediately. Not for political reasons – but for failure of leadership and command.”
And from his appearance on Morning Joe:
“It was an epiphany for me this weekend as we watched this tragedy unfold before our eyes, seeing the film and then seeing people from both ICE and Homeland Security lying about what happened, interspersed with the films that showed exactly what happened. And it started to hit me that, you know, ICE and DHS are neither military nor police. … From the standpoint of a former soldier, I would tell you they are an undisciplined militia, and the leadership is awful.”
Make of this what you will.
Me.
It is beginning to appear as if the killing of Alex Pretti might be the single undeniable instance that proves that the modus operandi of the professional lying class that sits at the top of one of our two political parties is to lie in hopes that the more gullibly stupid among us will launder their lies.
Alex Pretti was many things, but he was never a domestic terrorist. He never brandished his handgun. He never intended to massacre ICE agents. None of these professionally produced lies are true, yet Mr. Pretti’s memory has been slandered over and over again both by the liars and the gullibly stupid who launder their lies for pestilential partisan political gain.
Hmmm says
Is this flagerlive? Or Minnesota live?
Pierre Tristam says
I wish. No truer Americans these days than Minnesotans. They restore our faith in democracy.
Sherry says
Thank you yet again, Pierre! Very well said!
I was born and raised in Florida. . . but, most certainly would prefer to be thought of as a proud Minnesotan!
Concerned Citizen says
I spent a total of 25 years in Law Enforcement. In that time.
I thankfully drew my weapon no more than 3 times. And only came close to using deadly force once. A very sobering experience. We were taught even in those days to de-escalate. And I never wanted to take another human life unless absolutely necessary. I served in the Middle East and in combat environments. That choice made is irreversible. And stays with you forever.
Now I see these “ICE Agents” a mob of undisciplined and untrained “Law Enforcement officers” acting like Marshall’s of the Old West. So eager to draw and pull the trigger.The receive only 47 days of training at FLETC. Then dress tacticool. And go play cop/soldier. And to date have murdered at least 3 US Citizens. It makes me ashamed to be a retired Law Enforcement Officer. And an American because we need to do better.
These wannabe cops who have mostly washed out elsewhere. Need to learn the job and operate within the constraints of their jurisdiction. I have seen so many videos of traffic stops. And now knocking residential doors in.Not to mention the near intrusion of a Consulate. I have to wonder just what is taught at FLETC?
To you “ICE AGENTS” You are sworn Law Enforcement Officers. You took an Oath to do a job. In my career I have taken several Oaths. I took an Oath of enlistment. That meant something and should still. You are held to higher standards. Start doing better. And stop murdering people just because you have a small penis. And are angry.
Skibum says
Thank you! I’m sure you and I would have worked great side by side if we had been working in the same law enforcement agency. I know there are many others just like us who never forgot their oath of office, their ethics, their morality, or their compassion for others during their years of service.
Law enforcement depends heavily on the trust of those in the every community in the U.S. It pains me to not only see the disgusting aggressiveness and brutality of some of the federal agents, but eve more so to know that their behavior is already having a detrimental affect on every law enforcement agency in the nation. And that trust we need so much will inevitably be broken or very fragile for a long time to come because of the incredible stupidity of federal authorities who lacked leadership and integrity.