Past presidents — except one — condemn Minnesota shootings
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A demonstrator holds a sign reading "Justice for Alex Pretti, killed by CBP" during a protest in Washington, D.C., Jan. 26 Photo: Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images
Almost every living president condemned the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents, urging transparent investigations, protection of democratic values and limiting aggressive enforcement tactics.
Why it matters: Former presidents are often hesitant to jump into highly charged political debates, making the flurry of statements — alongside President Trump's attempts to soften his hardline immigration rhetoric — particularly notable.
- George W. Bush — who has kept a low profile outside of attending inaugurations and funerals — is the only former president not to comment publicly.
- His office did not respond to a request for comment.
Driving the news: Former President Biden became the latest to speak up Tuesday, posting on X that the operation in Minneapolis "betrays our most basic values as Americans."
- "Violence and terror have no place in the United States of America, especially when it's our own government targeting American citizens," Biden said, calling for "full, fair, and transparent investigations" into the deaths of Pretti and Renee Good.
What they're saying: "The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy," President Obama said in a Medium article on Sunday.
- "It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault."
- "For weeks now, people across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE recruits and other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city," he wrote. "This has to stop."
President Clinton said in a statement Sunday that the situation was "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," he said.
Context: Trump administration officials initially claimed Pretti was "brandishing a weapon" and attempting domestic terrorism — harsh words the White House has tried to walk back.
- Video evidence suggests Pretti was lawfully carrying a gun and observing immigration enforcement.
- However, local law enforcement was reportedly blocked from accessing the scene of Pretti's death.
The intrigue: Public backlash and low immigration approval ratings have rankled Trump, who softened his tone on Minnesota, and is reportedly looking for ways to reduce the federal presence from the city without appearing weak.
- Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday that he had "a very good call" with Gov. Tim Walz and the two "seemed to be on a similar wavelength." The president added that Walz "understood" DHS' desire for increased access to undocumented people in Minnesota custody.
- The president also announced that the Minneapolis operation will be led by border czar Tom Homan, who favors more targeted raids rather than the roving patrols that were sweeping the streets.
- Gregory Bovino, the CBP commander leading those raids, is reportedly leaving the city but will stay within CBP's ranks.
The bottom line: The pressure is mounting on the administration with former presidents joining Democratic lawmakers and even some Republicans in calling out Trump's heavy-handed immigration tactics.
Go deeper: "It was a mess": Inside Trump's pivot on Minnesota
