GOP's Bill Cassidy challenges Trump, calls for investigation into deadly Minneapolis shooting

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said on Saturday, January 24, that the "credibility of ICE and DHS" was at stake following a fatal shooting involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. Cassidy called for a full joint federal and state investigation into the incident, which occurred during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation.

His remarks came as Democratic leaders and federal officials offered sharply different accounts of the shooting. 

Bill Cassidy breaks with GOP leadership and urges full investigation

Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La, publicly called for a comprehensive investigation after a Border Patrol agent fatally shot 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Alex J Pretti on Saturday.

In a post on social media, Cassidy described the incident as “incredibly disturbing” and said that transparency was essential. 

“The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing,” Cassidy wrote. “The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth.”

Cassidy’s comments placed him at odds with senior members of his party, including President Donald Trump, who defended federal agents involved in the shooting.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that officers “had to protect themselves,” citing what he described as insufficient support from local law enforcement. 

“This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go. What is that all about?” Trump wrote. “Where are the local Police?”

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said during a Saturday news conference that the shooting occurred during a “targeted operation” against an individual with a violent criminal history.

According to Noem, Pretti approached agents with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. “The officers attempted to disarm this individual, but the armed suspect reacted violently,” Noem claimed. “Fearing for his life and for the lives of his fellow officers around him, an agent fired defensive shots.”

Noem said Pretti had two magazines containing dozens of rounds and no identification, adding that DHS was investigating the shooting as it does all officer-involved incidents.

Democratic lawmakers sharply criticized the federal response. 

Cassidy’s call for an investigation came as he faced a primary challenge from Rep Julia Letlow, who recently entered the Louisiana Senate race with Trump’s endorsement.

Cassidy was also one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump following the January 6 Capitol attack impeachment trial.

Fundraiser grows as state officials dispute federal account

An online fundraiser created to support Pretti’s family surpassed $300,000 on late Saturday, drawing more than 6,500 donations within hours.

Organizers said the funds would not be distributed until the next of kin was verified and an appropriate family representative was identified.

“This fundraiser is intended to support the loved ones he leaves behind with immediate and ongoing needs,” organizers wrote. “Funds will not be distributed until we can verify next-of-kin.”

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the “destruction of evidence” in the case.

The filing requested a temporary restraining order to ensure federal authorities preserve evidence related to the shooting. “I will not rest, my team will not rest, until we have done everything in our power… to achieve transparency and accountability,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said.