Republicans Raise Concerns Over Federal Immigration Tactics After Fatal Shooting in Minnesota

Wed Feb 04 2026 08:47:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A fatal shooting of a protester by federal immigration agents in Minnesota has drawn criticism from several Republican leaders, leading to calls for accountability and a thorough investigation into the incident.

A protest against President Trump's immigration policies turned tragic when a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a nurse in Minneapolis. Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma labeled the incident a 'real tragedy,' amplifying concerns about the tactics used by federal immigration officials. Other Republican senators also expressed their unease, demanding accountability and a comprehensive investigation. Meanwhile, administration officials defended the actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), attributing blame for the unrest to local Minnesota Democrats.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Concerns are mounting among Republicans regarding the practices employed by federal immigration authorities following the recent shooting of civilian Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by a U.S. Border Patrol agent. The incident occurred during a protest against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, resulting in deep-seated unease over federal tactics.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt described the fatal shooting of Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, as a 'real tragedy.' He stated on CNN's 'State of the Union' that the visibility of such violence is sparking fears regarding federal accountability. 'Americans don't like what they're seeing right now,' Stitt emphasized.

When prompted about whether Trump should withdraw immigration agents from Minnesota, Stitt remarked that the president needs to consider the repercussions of his strategy. 'He's getting bad advice right now,' he added.

Stitt further asserted the need for transparency and a clear resolution from the administration amidst rising tensions. 'We need to calm this down,' he declared.

The unease among Republicans was echoed by Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. In a social media post, Cassidy labeled the shooting as 'incredibly disturbing' and raised concerns about the credibility of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Tillis called for a 'thorough and impartial investigation,' stressing that any attempt to undermine the investigation would harm the nation and President Trump’s legacy.

Despite the criticisms, administration officials stood by ICE's tactics, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attributing the incident to chaos allegedly instigated by Democratic leaders in Minnesota. He claimed that 'paid agitators' were escalating the unrest, suggesting that local governance failed to control the situation adequately.