- Details
- By Levi Rickert
The tragic death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Affairs intensive care unit nurse, on a street in Minneapolis on Saturday morning is the second death at the hands of federal agents in the city this month. On Jan. 7, 2026, an ICE officer killed Renée Good. Both victims were citizens of Minneapolis.
Trump administration officials on Saturday were quick to claim that Pretti was impeding the work of immigration officers. Department of Homeland Secretary Kristi L. Noem said the victim appeared on the street Saturday to “massacre” law enforcement officers.
Just two hours after Pretti was shot and killed, a statement issued by the Department of Homeland Security claimed that he had "approached US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun." The statement said agents tried to disarm him, but he "violently resisted."
Various videos dispute these claims by Trump administration officials.
The killing has outraged Americans throughout the United States. There are calls for the Congress to withdraw funding for ICE in the budget now under consideration.
Here’s what Native Americans serving in Congress are saying about Pretti’s killing:
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) — Cherokee
In an appearance on FOX News on Sunday, Mullin defended the White House’s version of events and called Pretti a “deranged individual.”
“A deranged individual who came in to cause massive damage with a loaded pistol was shot and killed,” Mullin said. “How much more does it have to go on before Democratic leaders take responsibility for their words?”
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) — Ho-Chunk
“I am angry and heartbroken about the killing of Alex Pretti, a VA nurse in Minnesota,” Davids said. “People should feel safe in their own communities, but right now families are afraid to leave their homes and communities are living in fear.
“Our local law enforcement should be allowed to protect our neighborhoods — not masked, militarized federal agents operating with zero transparency. This shouldn’t be who we are as a country.”
One killing is too many, but after two fatal shootings in recent weeks, this administration must answer for what happened and take immediate, concrete action to stop the senseless killing of our neighbors.”
The other two Native Americans in Congress, Rep.Tom Cole (R-OK) and Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) have not made any public statements regarding Pretti’s killing.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Monday Morning (January 26, 2026): Articles You May Have Missed This Past Weekend
Native News Weekly (January 25, 2026): D.C. Briefs
Help us defend tribal sovereignty.
At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.
Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.
That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.
Stand with Warrior Journalism today.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
