Kimmel breaks down over ICE killing, slams administration’s ‘vile’ response in Minneapolis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel became visibly emotional on Monday night as he addressed the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. Opening Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a somber monologue, Kimmel criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the incident and directed pointed questions at the President's supporters, asking whether the unfolding events reflected what they intended to endorse.

Kimmel told viewers he spent the weekend “looking at my phone and just feeling shocked and sick,” describing a steady stream of disturbing footage showing immigration enforcement actions and families being separated. He said he watched Americans pulled from vehicles and detained, and recounted scenes of children being separated from parents during enforcement actions.  

Sickened by videos of families torn

Kimmel described what he called a pattern of “one atrocity after another” emerging from Minneapolis. He referenced footage showing children present during enforcement actions, saying “small children, babies” were being “tear-gassed, taken into custody, separated from their parents.”

He criticized the federal agents involved in those operations, calling them “a gang of poorly trained, shamefully led, mask-wearing goons.” Kimmel added, “They’re goons committing vile, heartless, and even criminal acts. It’s sickening to watch, and it’s frustrating to watch.”

Nurse executed despite being disarmed entirely

Turning to the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, Kimmel said Americans are watching fellow citizens being “executed by ICE.” He challenged official justifications surrounding Pretti’s death, focusing on the firearm he legally carried and noting that footage appears to contradict claims he posed a threat.

“They say the gun Alex Pretti had a license to carry in an open-carry state,” Kimmel said. “Many of these same people scream very loudly about Kyle Rittenhouse having a gun.” He argued that Pretti did not draw his weapon and said footage shows the firearm being taken by an agent before other officers “fired 10 times on an ICU nurse.”

Kimmel questions leadership and Fox News

Kimmel framed the moment as a test for the President’s supporters. “Is that the law and order that you voted for?” he asked. “Every day is a nightmare.” He questioned whether similar tactics would be used in “every city that didn’t vote for Donald Trump.”

He also criticized cable coverage of the incidents, playing clips from Fox News and remarking, “Let’s cut the bullsh*t already because it may be Fox, but it ain’t news.” Kimmel urged conservatives to speak out, asking whether Americans can agree that peaceful protesters and nurses “don’t deserve to be shot dead in the street.”

Tearing up for Minneapolis victims' families

Kimmel closed the monologue with an emotional appeal, arguing that leaders who “intentionally create and encourage violence and fear” are failing their role.

Fighting back tears, he addressed the affected families and community. “To the people of Minneapolis,” Kimmel said. “To the Pretti family and the Good family… we want you to know that we are with you and you are not alone.”