January 25, 2026 - 11:00am
Despite the viral video, the full picture of Alex Pretti’s final moments in Minneapolis remains murky. What’s clear is that a bad situation is about to become worse. The Trump administration is now likely to invoke the Insurrection Act, and highly organised disruptors are likely to escalate.
On Saturday, federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old Pretti in Minneapolis, the second fatality at the hands of ICE in the city this month in the wake of Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. The deceased was a US citizen and worked as a nurse, according to reports. The killing has the potential to scramble partisan allegiances: already, the Gun Owners of America emailed me a statement that was both critical of a Trump-appointed US attorney and of the “Left”. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus issued a statement expressing “concern” as well.
Firearms reporter Stephen Gutowski of The Reload posted on X: “It’s still early in the aftermath, and more video or audio might come to light that changes the analysis.” He went on: “The videos we do have look very bad, though, and appear to contradict DHS claims. Minneapolis police have also already said the man who was shot had a [concealed carry weapon] permit.”
On the one hand, some on the Right may worry that federal agents improperly killed a man in full compliance with firearm laws. Emergencies are, of course, the times when our rights are most vulnerable, as happened with pandemic-era First Amendment crackdowns in the name of public health.
On the other hand, Minnesota Democrats including Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey are intensifying their opposition to Trump’s federal immigration operation, while the President is doubling down. Walz called on Trump to “Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota”. The President posted on Truth Social: “LET OUR ICE PATRIOTS DO THEIR JOB!” Attorney General Pam Bondi sent Walz a letter that warned: “Whether state and local politicians stand in the way or not, we will work every day to protect Americans and make Minnesota Safe Again. I request that you join us in that effort.”
In the hours after Pretti’s death, conservatives urged Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act. Signed into law by Thomas Jefferson, the act would allow the President to send troops into Minnesota. State Attorney General Keith Ellison has already pledged to challenge an invocation in court.
Even before Renee Good’s death on 7 January, anti-ICE activists in the Twin Cities were an organised operation. Their strength appears to be growing with each passing day, as Trump’s operation produces more viral moments — even when they’re misleading.
The frigid streets of Minneapolis devolved into a war zone yesterday, as activists reacted to the news of Pretti’s death. That is to say, Trump’s Insurrection Act threats showed no sign of slowing the opposition, whether from peaceful protestors who braved dangerous temperatures to demonstrate on Friday or violent ones who challenged law enforcement on Saturday. Indeed, Minnesota Ice Watch, one of the local groups behind disruptions, took to social media with messages to “shoot ICE” and claim: “It’s time to handle things our way.”
With the Trump administration determined to deport millions more non-citizens and Democrats determined to resist ICE at all costs, the scenes out of Minneapolis are likely a preview of more to come.
Join the discussion
Join like minded readers that support our journalism by becoming a paid subscriber
To join the discussion in the comments, become a paid subscriber.
Join like minded readers that support our journalism, read unlimited articles and enjoy other subscriber-only benefits.
Subscribe