Trump Administration, Allies Spread Misinformation on Pretti Killing

In the latest episode of rising tensions between federal authorities and local communities, the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis has become a flashpoint for conflicting narratives and widespread misinformation.

The 37-year-old ICU nurse was killed on Saturday after an encounter with Border Patrol agents that was captured on bystander video. The Department of Homeland Security claimed Sunday that Pretti had “approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun” and “violently resisted” attempts to disarm him.

However, video evidence analyzed by U.S. media outlets and Bellingcat, a respected Netherlands-based investigative journalism group, contradicts these claims. The footage shows Pretti initially filming the agents before stepping in to defend a woman who had been pushed to the ground. During the ensuing confrontation, at least five agents tackled him, and the analysis indicates his legally owned firearm had already been confiscated before he was shot multiple times.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara later confirmed to reporters that Pretti was a “lawful gun owner” with a valid permit and no criminal history beyond a few traffic violations.

Despite this evidence, high-ranking Trump administration officials have characterized the incident in starkly different terms. Border Patrol Commander at Large Greg Bovino claimed at a news conference that Pretti’s possession of a gun indicated he “wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”

Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security, went further, labeling Pretti an “assassin” who attempted to “murder federal agents.” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem supported these assertions, stating Pretti had “violently” resisted arrest.

The administration’s narrative has been amplified across right-wing social media. The influential “Libs of TikTok” account described Pretti as a “lunatic” and an “assassin,” while Alexander Muse told his 681,000 followers that Pretti was “expecting a firefight at a distance” with federal agents—a claim unsupported by available evidence.

Some prominent conservative voices have introduced additional false information. Nick Sorter, a Trump ally with 1.4 million followers on X, incorrectly claimed Pretti was an “illegal alien” who attempted to draw his weapon on agents. Conservative podcaster Jesse Kelly characterized the American citizen as a “soldier for the communist revolution.”

Digitally altered images purporting to show Pretti in female clothing have also circulated among MAGA-affiliated accounts, further muddying the public understanding of events.

In response, Pretti’s parents released a statement describing their son as a “kindhearted soul” and condemning the “sickening lies” about him as “reprehensible and disgusting.”

The pattern of labeling victims as “domestic terrorists” mirrors the case of Renee Good, another 37-year-old shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this month. Administration officials described Good as a “terrorist” attempting to run over an officer, despite video evidence contradicting these assertions.

This approach extends beyond individual cases to broader attempts at discrediting protests against the administration’s immigration policies. Last week, the White House shared an AI-altered image of arrested activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, manipulated to make her appear emotionally distressed.

Not all conservatives have endorsed the administration’s narrative. Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie stated on X that “carrying a firearm is not a death sentence, it’s a Constitutionally protected God-given right.” Even the National Rifle Association rejected suggestions that approaching law enforcement while armed justifies lethal force.

The controversy has also exposed tensions between federal and local authorities. Minnesota officials have disputed Vice President JD Vance’s claim that local law enforcement refused to assist federal counterparts in the investigation. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension countered that it was actually state authorities who were denied access to the crime scene by DHS officials.

As investigations continue, the divergent accounts of Pretti’s death highlight growing divisions over immigration enforcement policies and the use of force by federal agents in American communities.