WASHINGTON (AP) — A growing number of Republicans are pressing for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of a man by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis, signaling potential bipartisan scrutiny of the Trump administration’s account of the events.
Calls for Investigation Mount
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino has requested testimony from leaders at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, stating his “top priority remains keeping Americans safe.”
Numerous other congressional Republicans, including Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas and Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have also demanded more information. Their statements, along with concerns expressed by several Republican governors, reflect a party grappling with how to respond to the shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a VA hospital.
Trump administration officials initially characterized Pretti as the instigator, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claiming he “approached” immigration officers with a gun and acted violently. However, videos from the scene show Pretti being pushed by an officer and then surrounded by agents, during which he was holding a phone but was not seen brandishing the 9mm semiautomatic handgun he was licensed to carry.
GOP Concerns Broaden
The incident has raised questions about the GOP’s positions on gun ownership, states’ rights, and trust in the federal government. Cassidy described the shooting as “incredibly disturbing” and said the “credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake,” calling for a “full joint federal and state investigation.” Tillis urged a “thorough and impartial investigation,” adding that any attempt to shut down an investigation prematurely would be “an incredible disservice to the nation and to President Trump’s legacy.”
Even Sen. Pete Ricketts, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, called for a “prioritized, transparent investigation,” while maintaining his support for ICE funding. He stated the need to uphold “core values as a nation, including the right to protest and assemble.”
Trump and other administration officials have defended the immigration enforcement tactics, blaming Democrats in Minnesota and local law enforcement for a lack of cooperation.
A Sensitive Moment for the Party
Pretti’s death comes at a sensitive time for the GOP as it prepares for the midterm elections. Trump has recently brought the NATO alliance to the brink and faces widespread affordability concerns. Approval of his handling of immigration has also declined, with just 38% of U.S. adults approving in January, according to an AP-NORC poll.
The shooting has also sparked debate regarding gun rights, with officials questioning why Pretti was armed. The National Rifle Association stated that “responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.” Rep. Thomas Massie emphasized the constitutional right to bear arms.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged Pretti was lawfully armed, stating the ICE officers had to make an incredibly split-second decision.
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Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report
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