‘Israelization of America’s police’: Netizens react with outrage to another ICE murder in Minneapolis

A wave of anger swept social media after United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers killed another man in Minneapolis, as protests against federal immigration operations continued across Minnesota.

Alexander Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old American intensive care nurse, was shot and killed by US Border Patrol agents on Saturday in Minneapolis, according to initial reports.

The killing unfolded during large-scale demonstrations opposing a federal immigration crackdown and marked the second fatal shooting by federal officers in the city this year, following the January 7 killing of Renee Good.

News of Pretti’s death triggered an immediate backlash online, with journalists, activists, and public figures condemning the unchecked violence by federal agents operating under the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.

‘Another horrific shooting’: ICE agents kill man during immigration crackdown in Minneapolis

Minnesota Governor has strongly condemned “another horrific shooting” incident by US federal agents during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, calling for the withdrawal of “violent” officers from the city.

Political commentator Brian Krassenstein pointed to Pretti’s profession and record of service, stressing that federal agents shot a man who had devoted his life to saving others: “No amount of MAGA spin can explain away agents killing a man after removing his weapon. It was a grave abuse of power carried out under a Trump-led enforcement culture that treats civilians as enemies.”

Bernice King, CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, urged Congress to dismantle ICE altogether and pursue a different path.

She called for lawmakers to: “enact just, humane immigration policies; and ensure implementation of the policies by people who honor the humanity of Black and Brown immigrants, respect those raising their voices in support of immigrants, and seek the safety of community.”

Author Michael Jones drew parallels between federal agents in Minneapolis and Israeli forces’ genocidal conduct in occupied Palestine, writing: “We are witnessing in Minneapolis the Israelization of America's police. They have been trained to deal with fellow citizens the way the Israelis treat Palestinians.”

Social justice activist Bill Madden compared ICE to the Nazi Gestapo and directed his outrage squarely at US President Donald Trump. 

“After what his ICE Nazi Gestapo has done in Minneapolis, there is NO WAY this evil, cruel, and sadistic piece of human excrement is staying out of prison. In no conceivable world does the EXECUTION and MURDER of US citizens fall under ‘official presidential duties.’”

Anti-corruption reformer Jordan Wood demanded accountability for those involved in the killing and called for nationwide resistance to the administration’s policies.

“Today, as we saw masked ICE agents murder an ICU nurse, and American citizen, in Minneapolis, our community in Lewiston rallied together to call for an END to this Administration’s lawlessness. Rip off the masks, hold the bad actors accountable for their crimes, and stop the senseless violence.”

Social media user Pedro Gonzalez criticized Vice President JD Vance for attempting to deflect attention from the shooting, describing the response as political spin. “

Vance is still pathetically trying to spin the latest shooting in Minneapolis. Here’s what happened: a model American named Alex Pretti was executed while trying to protect a helpless woman from the goons Vance has defended more vigorously than his own family.”

BNO News published a statement from Pretti’s family, who condemned Trump and his administration for spreading falsehoods to justify the killing. 

“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also responded on Sunday, calling on the Trump administration to remove “violent, untrained officers” from the state.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed those demands, sharply criticizing the continued presence of federal law enforcement in the city after Pretti’s death and urging Trump to end the operation and withdraw federal agents from Minneapolis.

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