White House Faults CBP for Spreading Misinformation About ICE Shooting Incident

In the aftermath of Alex Pretti’s fatal shooting in Minneapolis, the White House has redirected responsibility to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) for the initial statements made following the incident that occurred last Saturday.

Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller issued a statement to NewsNation explaining that the Department of Homeland Security’s first public comments on the shooting were based on information provided by CBP personnel at the scene. “The initial statement from DHS was based on reports from CBP on the ground,” Miller clarified.

Miller further elaborated on the administration’s intended protocol for the operation, stating that “the White House provided clear guidance to DHS that the extra personnel that had been sent to Minnesota for force protection should be used for conducting fugitive operations to create a physical barrier between the arrest teams and the disruptors.”

The adviser acknowledged potential procedural failures, adding, “We are evaluating why the CBP team may not have been following that protocol.” This statement suggests an internal review is underway to determine where communication or operational breakdowns occurred during the incident.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has similarly attributed the department’s early commentary on the shooting to information received from CBP officials. The alignment between Miller’s and Noem’s explanations indicates a coordinated response strategy from the administration as criticism mounts.

The fatal shooting has generated significant backlash against the administration from across the political spectrum. Civil rights groups have demanded transparency about the circumstances of Pretti’s death, while lawmakers from both parties have called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Law enforcement operations involving federal agencies in urban settings have long been controversial, particularly when they result in civilian casualties. The Minneapolis community, still healing from previous high-profile police incidents, has responded with protests demanding accountability and justice for Pretti.

As pressure continues to build, President Trump appears to be attempting to shift public attention away from the controversy. On Tuesday, amid growing criticism, the President pivoted to economic messaging during an appearance in Iowa, focusing on his administration’s financial agenda ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

The incident comes at a politically sensitive time, with midterm elections approaching and the administration facing scrutiny over its law enforcement and immigration policies. Federal operations targeting fugitives have been a cornerstone of the administration’s domestic security strategy, but incidents like the Pretti shooting have reignited debates about appropriate tactics and oversight.

Minneapolis city officials have called for greater coordination between federal and local law enforcement, with some suggesting that better communication might have prevented the tragic outcome. Mayor Jacob Frey has requested a comprehensive briefing on the operation that led to Pretti’s death.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CBP, has not yet released complete details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, citing the ongoing investigation. However, pressure is mounting for the release of body camera footage that might clarify the sequence of events.

Community advocates have emphasized that regardless of operational protocols or communication issues between agencies, the focus should remain on accountability for Pretti’s death and ensuring similar incidents don’t occur in the future.

As investigations continue, the administration’s attempt to redirect responsibility to CBP raises questions about oversight and accountability within federal law enforcement operations, issues likely to remain at the forefront of public discourse as additional details emerge about the Minneapolis incident.