Megyn Kelly says she has no sympathy for Alex Pretti: 'He was not there to help'

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly said on Monday, January 26, that she does not feel sympathy for Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis over the weekend.

Kelly made the remarks during an episode of 'The Megyn Kelly Show', as political tensions and protests continue to escalate following the second fatal shooting by federal agents in the city this month.

Megyn Kelly refuses to feel sorry

Kelly backed the ICE operation in Minneapolis and opened up on the shooting of Alex Pretti.

“I know I’m supposed to feel sorry for Alex Pretti, but I don’t,” Kelly said. “I don’t. Do you know why I wasn’t shot by Border Patrol this weekend? Because I kept my a** inside and out of their operations.”

Her comments quickly drew attention as lawmakers from both parties called for an independent investigation into the shooting.

Kelly said Pretti placed himself in danger by engaging with federal officers during an active operation, arguing that civilians should never insert themselves into law enforcement activity - regardless of their intentions.

“It’s very simple,” she said. “If I felt strongly enough about something the government was doing, I would protest peacefully, on the sidewalk, without interfering - not with my body, not with shouting, not with anything.”

Kelly emphasized that her remarks were not meant to celebrate Pretti’s death but to issue what she described as a reality check for protesters.

“If you do anything, anything- that looks like resistance, you’re in serious trouble,” she warned, urging demonstrators in Minnesota to remain peaceful and avoid confrontation with officers.

She described Pretti as one of several “organized agitators” who came to “disrupt law enforcement,” saying he was “not there to help” but was “there being subversive” and “looking to cause trouble” while armed.

Later, Megyn reiterated her claim in a separate post on X.

Conflicting accounts over what happened

Federal officials have said that Pretti approached Border Patrol agents while carrying a loaded 9-millimeter handgun, suggesting officers acted in self-defense.

Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino claimed Pretti posed a threat to officers during the encounter. However, video footage released by bystanders has raised serious questions about that version of events.

Multiple videos appeared to show Pretti holding a cellphone, not a firearm, as he approached agents.

In the footage, Pretti could be seen attempting to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed by a federal officer moments earlier.

Pretti himself was then sprayed, taken to the ground and restrained by several agents.