Barack Obama Breaks Silence with Fierce Critique of Trump After Alex Pretti Tragedy in Minneapolis

In a rare and sharply-worded public statement, former U.S. President Barack Obama has condemned the killing of Alex Pretti — a U.S. citizen shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis — and laid the blame squarely on the Trump administration’s handling of federal law enforcement.

Obama Lashes Out at Federal Agents over ‘Heartbreaking Tragedy’

Calling the incident “a heartbreaking tragedy,” Obama warned that it should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, highlighting that core national values are increasingly “under assault.” The remarks, made on January 25, 2026, marked one of Obama’s most overt criticisms of a sitting president since leaving office.

“Administration officials seem eager to escalate the situation,” Obama said, referencing the chaos that erupted in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of both Pretti and Renee Good.

He accused federal agents of deploying “unprecedented tactics” meant to intimidate and harass citizens — tactics he said have now led to avoidable deaths. For weeks, growing outrage has surged nationwide following footage of masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruits and other agents operating aggressively in U.S. neighborhoods.

Obama echoed that sentiment, denouncing the federal agents’ conduct as “embarrassing, lawless and cruel,” even quoting a former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) top lawyer who had used those exact words to criticize such practices.

He went further, accusing the current administration of issuing “public explanations for the shootings of Mr. Pretti and Renee Good that aren’t informed by any serious investigation — and that appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence.”

Mounting Fury and Plea for Peace

In a plea for de-escalation, Obama urged officials to work constructively with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and local law enforcement to avoid further violence and restore accountability.

“This has to stop,” he asserted, warning that without action, more American lives could be put at risk.

The former president concluded his statement by expressing support for peaceful protests across the country, dubbing them a “timely reminder” of the public’s power to challenge injustice and demand transparency and accountability from their government.

Family of Slain Nurse Speaks Out

While former President Obama’s remarks amplified growing national outrage over the killing, it is the voice of Pretti’s heartbroken family that has added a profoundly human dimension to the tragedy.

In their first public statement since the on-camera shooting, the family of the late 37-year-old ICU nurse described themselves as both “heartbroken and angry,” condemning what they called a campaign of misinformation surrounding his death.

“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” they said. “Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.” Pretti was killed during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, where he had reportedly joined a protest against ICE’s presence.

Caught on Camera: Harrowing Final Moments Captured in Graphic Footage

Footage from the scene shows Pretti attempting to shield a woman who had been shoved to the ground by officers. With his phone in hand and his left arm raised in what appears to be a protective gesture, Pretti was then forcibly separated from the woman, pepper-sprayed, and ultimately subdued by six agents.

The graphic video depicts Pretti struggling on all fours under the weight of several officers. One ICE agent is then seen reaching for his holstered firearm. Moments later, a barrage of gunfire erupts — killing him instantly.

Family Honors a Life of Service and Sacrifice

Pretti’s family painted a portrait of a devoted son, friend, and public servant who had committed his life to helping others.

“Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital,” the statement reads.

Calling him a “hero,” the family insisted that his final moments embodied the values he lived by. “Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However, his last thought and act was to protect a woman.”

While the DHS claimed that Pretti was armed with a nine mm handgun and that agents fired in self-defense, his family adamantly rejected that account, calling it a distortion of the truth.

“He has his phone in his right hand and [SIC] his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down — all while being pepper-sprayed,” they clarified.

Demanding accountability and public awareness, the family closed their statement with an emotional plea, “Please get the truth out about our son.” They emphasized that above all, he was a “good man.”

As calls for justice and transparency intensify, the death of Alex Pretti has become more than a tragic moment — it has become a rallying cry against the unchecked use of force, and a solemn reminder of the lives lost in its wake.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Pretti’s entire family, all his loved ones, friends, and community as they mourn such a significant loss. We hope for their healing amid their grief. RIP, dear Pretti.