Cruz Urges Trump Officials to Temper Rhetoric After Controversial Minnesota Shootings

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) urged the Trump administration to adopt a more measured, restrained public tone following two officer-involved shootings in Minneapolis that left Renee Good and Alex Pretti dead. Cruz warned that premature, escalatory language from officials can undermine credibility and inflame tensions before formal investigations are complete.

Calls For Restraint And Independent Investigation

On the latest episode of his 'Verdict' podcast, Cruz praised the administration's efforts to reduce crime and secure the border but said he was troubled by how some officials described the fatal encounters. "What I think the administration could do better is the tone with which they’re describing this," he said, arguing officials often come out "guns blazing" with definitive language before facts are established.

"So I would encourage the administration to be more measured, to recognize the tragedy and to say, 'We don’t want anyone’s lives to be lost.' The politicians who are pouring gasoline onto this fire need to stop," Cruz said.

Details Of The Incidents And Public Reaction

The shootings — of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37-year-old Minneapolis residents who were at anti-immigration demonstrations — drew intense scrutiny. DHS officials initially accused Pretti, an intensive-care nurse licensed to carry a concealed weapon, of intending to "massacre law enforcement" and "murder federal agents."

However, bystander video circulating on social media has raised questions about that account. Footage shows Pretti not brandishing a weapon during the interaction; an agent appears to draw a concealed firearm from Pretti’s waistband moments before another agent shot him in the back. That discrepancy prompted public concern, including calls from some Republicans for thorough, independent investigations.

Cruz’s Broader Appeal

Cruz said he would withhold judgment until investigations conclude and urged both sides to de-escalate. He criticized extremes on both ends of the political spectrum — leaders who liken federal immigration enforcement to the Gestapo and those who appear eager to celebrate violent confrontations with law enforcement — and described the killings as "a tragedy."

"Anyone with a conscience is horrified by what’s happening in Minneapolis," Cruz said, calling for lowered rhetoric and calm while investigators examine the facts.

Context: The incidents remain under investigation. Calls for independent reviews reflect the broader demand for transparency and accountability in officer-involved shootings.