The White House on Monday said President Donald Trump does not want to see people harmed or killed on US streets, following a fatal shooting in Minnesota that has sparked public outrage and political tension.
The remarks came after the killing of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minnesota on Saturday. It was the second fatal shooting of a US citizen in the state this month.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters as anger mounted over the incident. She stressed that Trump would not retreat from his immigration enforcement agenda.
Leavitt said the tragedy resulted from what she described as “deliberate and hostile resistance” by Democratic leaders in Minnesota.
According to her, this resistance had been building for weeks.
However, video footage from the scene, verified by Reuters, contradicts the administration’s account.
Authorities had claimed immigration agents fired in self-defense after Pretti approached them with a handgun.
Video footage raises questions
The video shows Pretti holding a phone, not a gun, as agents wrestled him to the ground. Footage also shows officers removing a firearm stored near his waistband after he had been subdued.
Moments later, Pretti was fatally shot.
Officials confirmed he was a licensed gun owner.
Trump’s stance on immigration enforcement
Leavitt said Trump “will never back down from his promise to deport violent criminal illegal aliens and make America safe again.”
She added that the president welcomes cooperation from state and local authorities.
The White House also called on Minnesota leaders to hand over undocumented immigrants held in jails.
This includes those with active warrants or known criminal histories for immediate deportation.
Political pushback and public protests
Democratic leaders in Minnesota have strongly opposed the administration’s surge of immigration agents.
They have described the move as a lawless invasion that puts public safety at risk.
The deployment has triggered massive street protests across the state.
Demonstrations have continued despite below-freezing temperatures.
Leavitt said Trump wants Congress to act swiftly.
She urged lawmakers to pass legislation ending sanctuary policies in some cities.
According to the White House, these policies protect undocumented migrants from federal authorities.
Trump believes ending them is necessary to strengthen immigration enforcement nationwide.
