The White House on Monday addressed the second shooting by anti-immigrant agents in Minneapolis city in Minnesota, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressing regret while simultaneously criticising Democrats. While claiming president
Donald Trump doesn't want violence, the administration quickly shifted blame to Democratic leaders for resisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in their city.
Leavitt acknowledged the death of Alex Pretti as tragic but quickly pivoted to political criticism. "Nobody in the White House, including President Trump, wants to see people getting hurt or killed in America's streets," she said. "We mourn for the parents. As a mother myself, of course, I cannot imagine the loss of life," she added.
However, the administration still targeted Minnesota's Democratic leadership. Leavitt accused Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey of creating problems through their "deliberate and hostile resistance." She demanded they work with federal agents and hand over detained immigrants.
The situation has raised questions about gun rights, a traditionally Republican cause. Pretti had a legal gun permit, but video showed he didn't draw his weapon before being shot. Leavitt backed gun ownership rights but added that carrying a weapon during police encounters increases risk.
The White House wants local officials to fully support ICE operations. Trump spoke with Governor Walz on Monday about the situation. Leavitt criticised Democrats for what she called "spreading lies about federal law enforcement officers who are risking their lives daily to remove the worst criminal illegal aliens from our streets."
The incident added to the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local authorities who oppose their presence. Despite having legal permission to carry a firearm, Pretti became the second person killed during recent ICE operations in Minneapolis.
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