President Barack and Michelle Obama forcefully condemned Donald Trump and ICE following the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
In an official statement, the Obamas expressed their concerns about the violence taking place in the city.
“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.”
The Obamas also said that people are “rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE recruits.” And other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke, and endanger the residents of a major American city,”
They accused Trump and other administration officials of appearing “eager to escalate the rhetoric.”
Barck also condemned Trump and ICE in a post on X( formerly Twitter) over the weekend.
“The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy,” Obama said. “It should also be a wake-up call to every American. Regardless of party, many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.”
“People across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE recruits,” Obama continued. “And other federal agents acting with impunity. Engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, and provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city.”
On Saturday, Jan 24, Pretti was shot and killed on Saturday by ICE agents after a confrontation in Minneapolis. Video footage showed that Pretti was holding a phone in his right hand and nothing in his left before he was fatally shot.
Pretti’s death follows the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good. She was shiot in her by an ICE agent during a protest in Minneapolis in January.
On Monday (Jan 26), federal judges will hear two cases related to the increase in immigration agents in Minnesota. Attorney General Keith Ellison will be present in court “to argue “for an end to Operation Metro Surge.”