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I’m tracking this story beyond the breaking news. Supporting this work helps keep the focus on accountability and consequences.
Just days after the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis, Trump has done a complete 180, abandoning the “never admit defeat” playbook that included characterizing Pretti as a domestic terrorist, and gaslighting America into ignoring video evidence we all saw with our own eyes.
Now, Trump is mired in chaos of his own making, and he’s spiraling trying to get out.
We have him not quite admitting defeat, but at least implying he’s made some mistakes. In a Fox News interview, Trump said, “We’re going to de-escalate a little bit” in Minnesota. He contradicted his own administration officials, saying he actually didn’t believe Pretti approached ICE agents as an “assassin,” as Stephen Miller claimed within hours of the killing.
Granted, he couldn’t help himself to not blame the victim. His qualifier, “You can’t have guns,’’ and “you can’t walk in with guns,’’ had the NRA and gun rights activists up in arms (no pun intended). I can’t imagine the January 6 rioters appreciate that one, either.
Actions Trump Words
Despite the spin, Trump took some steps that show you he knows exactly how bad this is for him.
He turned on Border Patrol commander at large Greg Bovino, gave him the (jack)boot, and called him “a pretty out there kind of guy. In some cases it’s good. Maybe it’s not good here.” He pulled Bovino and sent Border Czar Tom Homan in to presumably triage the mess.
Trump had a “productive”phone call with Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, who are both under federal investigation at his urging as of just a few days ago.
He even acknowledged the humanity of the victims, saying “I think the whole thing is terrible. I don’t like that he was carrying a gun.”
Trump even went so far as to promise a “very honorable and honest investigation.” And of course, that and $10 will get you a footlong at Subway.
Republicans Are Pivoting To Crisis Management
Republicans are starting to see just how much of a political time bomb this is.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune called for a full and impartial investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti, and deigned to acknowledge that he had the right to carry a gun. He called this an inflection point, and an opportunity to reassess Trump’s handling of the crackdown.
Senator Rand Paul, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, summoned the heads of ICE, CBP, and US Citizenship and Immigration Services to testify in front of the Senate.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said Noem should be fired, calling her actions “amateurish.” He explained, “What she’s done in Minnesota should be disqualifying.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski said Noem needs to be held accountable for the chaos and tragedy she’s caused, and that Trump “needs to look at who he has in place as secretary of homeland security.”
What Happens Next
We need accountability. That starts with the removal of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The three top House Democrats came out in support of her impeachment. Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar issued a joint statement:
“Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives,” they wrote, adding some language that Trump is more inclined to understand: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
In fact, 162 Democrats have thus far signed onto a resolution to impeach Noem, which is a good indication that she would be in real danger if Democrats win a majority in the midterms.
Now, will we get any kind of investigation? Will there be consequences for Kristi Noem? Will Greg Bovino be forced to retire in disgrace? Will we ever even learn the names of the ICE agent who shot Pretti?
Perhaps not.
But Trump knows he has to do something, because this whole situation is proving extremely unpopular across the political spectrum, not just with the left and not just with any human being with functional eyesight who watched the video of Pretti’s execution.
How Do We Get There?
We’re less than 48 hours from a vote to continue funding the government. Separating that DHS bill from the rest of the funding bills is critical in terms of holding this rogue agency to account.
Democrats are seeking to use their leverage and public opposition to ICE to impose guardrails. At a bare minimum, they need to take off the masks, end unqualified immunity, and stop terrorizing American citizens. And that’s to say nothing of the growing number of Democrats calling for ICE to be abolished entirely.
I’m tracking what happens next: who blinks, who doesn’t, and what accountability really looks like. Supporting this work helps keep that pressure where it belongs.
This is the moment for pressure.
In the next two days, there needs to be a full court press on Mike Johnson and John Thune to separate these bills. Call the Senate switchboard and tell your Senator that separating DHS funding and holding ICE accountable is non-negotiable.
Senate Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
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