The Obamas called the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti a national "wake-up call," criticizing federal immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota as intimidating and insufficiently accountable. They linked Pretti's death to weeks of intensified operations that sparked protests and clashes, and urged federal officials to cooperate with state and local leaders. The Obamas also condemned premature public conclusions about the shootings and encouraged support for peaceful protests while investigations proceed.
Barack and Michelle Obama Condemn ICE Tactics After Minneapolis Shooting, Call for Accountability
Former President Barack Obama attends a "get out the vote" rally at the Essex County College gymnasium in Newark, N.J., on Nov. 1.(Getty Images)
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama issued a joint statement condemning the tactics federal immigration agents have used in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. The Obamas called the killing a national "wake-up call," arguing that intensified enforcement operations have intimidated residents, heightened tensions and exposed gaps in accountability.
Obamas' Statement and Reaction
In their Sunday statement, the Obamas tied Pretti's death to several weeks of increased federal immigration activity in Minneapolis that sparked protests and clashes between local communities and federal agents. They urged Americans to consider the broader implications of the incident and warned that current tactics risk undermining basic civic values.
A screengrab from a video shows a law enforcement officer spraying irritants at Alex Pretti before he was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, 2026.
"The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault," the Obamas said. "Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job. But Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way, and to work with, rather than against, state and local officials to ensure public safety."
What Officials Say
Federal and state officials say Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent during an early-morning enforcement operation targeting Jose Huerta-Chuma, described by authorities as an undocumented immigrant with a criminal history. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials said Pretti approached agents with a 9mm pistol and "violently resisted" when officers tried to disarm him; he was pronounced dead at the scene. State records indicate Pretti held a valid permit to carry a firearm.
Broader Concerns
The Obamas accused the Trump administration and DHS of failing to impose sufficient discipline and accountability on agents deployed to Minnesota and suggested public explanations issued soon after the shootings risked drawing conclusions before full investigations. They also linked the incident to a separate Jan. 7 shooting in Minneapolis in which Renee Good, a mother of three, was killed during an ICE enforcement action.
Federal agents fire tear gas at protestors on Jan. 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. Earlier that day agents allegedly shot and killed a protestor amid a scuffle to arrest him.
Calling for a change in approach, the Obamas urged federal officials to work constructively with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and local law enforcement to reduce tensions while achieving legitimate law-enforcement goals. They encouraged support for peaceful protests and emphasized the role of citizens in speaking out against injustice and holding government accountable.
Fox News Digital reported it had reached out to the Obamas for further comment. Local and federal investigations into the incidents are ongoing, and officials continue to release details as they are confirmed.
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