Karoline Leavitt distances Trump from remarks calling Alex Pretti a ‘domestic t*rrorist’

WASHINGTON, DC: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday, January 26, sought to distance President Donald Trump from comments made by senior administration officials following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal authorities during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. 

Her remarks signaled a noticeable shift in the White House’s public posture as questions and criticism mounted across the political spectrum over the tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other federal officers during enforcement operations.

White House addresses Trump’s comments on Alex Pretti shooting

During a White House press briefing, Leavitt faced repeated questions about whether Trump agreed with statements made over the weekend by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller regarding the circumstances of Pretti’s death.

Noem had said Pretti “attacked” federal law enforcement while “brandishing” a firearm and described the incident as “domestic terrorism.” Miller went further, calling Pretti a “would-be assassin” who “tried to murder federal law enforcement.”

Leavitt said she had not heard the president “characterize Mr Pretti in that way,” adding that Trump wanted to “let the facts and the investigation lead itself.” 

When pressed on whether Miller would apologize to Pretti’s family, Leavitt declined to give a definitive answer, reiterating that the incident remains under investigation and emphasizing that “nobody here at the White House, including the president of the United States, wants to see Americans hurt or killed and losing their lives in American streets.”

Multiple videos captured by witnesses show an officer shooting Pretti in the back after an altercation. In the footage, Pretti was filming federal officers and appeared to be trying to help a woman who was being pepper-sprayed before he himself was sprayed. Video appears to show an officer taking Pretti’s gun and walking away before Pretti was shot. 

Leavitt contrasted the administration’s current approach with its response to the earlier shooting death of Renee Good, in which officials quickly defended an ICE officer who fatally shot Good, who was unarmed. Trump later told The New York Times that he did not want to see anyone shot after watching video of Good’s death.

Political fallout and shifting rhetoric after Alex Pretti’s death

Videos of Pretti’s shooting sparked backlash not only from Democrats but also from Republicans and gun rights activists. Rep James Comer suggested Trump consider pulling ICE personnel out of Minnesota, while Sen Bill Cassidy said the “credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake.”

Sen John Curtis called Noem’s comments “premature,” saying they weakened confidence by coming before all facts were known. House Homeland Security Committee Chair Andrew Garbarino and Sen Rand Paul demanded that DHS agency heads testify before Congress.

Texas Gov Greg Abbott said the White House needs to “recalibrate” ICE to refocus on removing people from the country. As more Republicans criticized the initial handling of Pretti’s killing, administration officials appeared to adjust their tone.

Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, a prominent figure in the administration’s immigration crackdown, defended federal agents in an interview with CNN. Leavitt confirmed Bovino would continue leading, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) nationwide. 

She said, “Mr Bovino is a wonderful man and he’s a great professional. He is very much going to continue CBP throughout and across the country. Mr [Tom] Homan will be the main point of contact on the ground in Minneapolis.”

Trump told The Wall Street Journal that an investigation was underway and “We’re looking, we’re reviewing everything and will come out with a determination.” He later revealed he had a “very good call” with Gov Tim Walz and said Homan would meet Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.