Stephen Miller accuses Democrats of siding with ‘te**orists’ after Alex Pretti shooting

WASHINGTON, DC: The fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man during a Border Patrol operation has ignited a fierce political firestorm, with White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller accusing Democrats of siding with “terrorists” as they call for federal immigration agents to leave Minnesota.

The shooting, which occurred Saturday, January 24, in Minneapolis, involved Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse whom federal officials say was armed during a confrontation with Border Patrol agents.

Stephen Miller accuses Democrats of backing violence against federal agents

Miller sharply criticized Democratic leaders after several called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to withdraw from Minneapolis and urged Congress to cut the agency’s funding following the shooting.

“A would-be assassin tried to murder federal law enforcement and the official Democrat account sides with the terrorists,” Miller wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

His remarks came after Sen Chris Murphy (D-Conn) publicly called for ICE to leave Minneapolis and for lawmakers to block its funding. Miller responded directly to Murphy’s post, writing, “An assassin tried to murder federal agents and this is your response.”

The White House official framed the backlash against federal immigration enforcement as dangerous rhetoric that, in his view, places agents at risk.

DHS details shooting involving Alex Pretti

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Pretti allegedly approached federal agents during what officials described as an apparent operation and then “violently resisted.”

DHS said Pretti was armed with a 9mm pistol and two magazines at the time of the confrontation, which ultimately led to a Border Patrol agent fatally shooting him.

The agency is leading the investigation into the incident with assistance from the FBI.

Minnesota officials dispute portrayal of Alex Pretti

Minnesota Gov Tim Walz said Pretti was an ICU nurse who held a lawful permit to carry a firearm. Court records show Pretti did not have a criminal record.

Walz’s comments placed him at odds with federal officials and Trump administration allies who have characterized the encounter as a violent attack on law enforcement.

The shooting has intensified tensions between state leaders and the federal government over immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Pam Bondi blames Minnesota policies in letter to Tim Walz

Attorney General Pam Bondi weighed in Saturday, sending a sharply worded letter to Walz accusing Minnesota officials of failing to enforce federal immigration law.

“Minnesota has ‘refused’ to enforce the law, and the consequences are heartbreaking,” Bondi wrote.

“Unfortunately, you and other Minnesota officials have refused to support the men and women risking their lives to protect Americans and uphold the rule of law,” she continued.

Bondi argued that sanctuary laws in Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St Paul have forced federal agents to operate without local support.

“Because Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul have chosen to ignore federal immigration law by enacting sanctuary laws and policies, the federal agents led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have operated alone,” she wrote.

Pam Bondi calls out Tim Walz and Jacob Frey

In her letter, Bondi also criticized statements made by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov Walz, saying their rhetoric has endangered federal officers.

She cited Frey’s statement, “ICE: Get the f*** out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here,” and Walz’s comparison of federal immigration agents to “Trump’s modern-day Gestapo.”

“The results of your state’s policies and politicians’ anti-law enforcement rhetoric are a national tragedy,” Bondi wrote.

She claimed violence against ICE officers has surged, writing that attacks have increased approximately 1,300%, while vehicular attacks against ICE officers have risen 3,200%.

“You and your office must restore the rule of law, support ICE officers, and bring an end to the chaos in Minnesota,” Bondi concluded.