The National Catholic Reporter criticized Vice President JD Vance for defending federal agents who fatally shot ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, arguing Vance chose political loyalty over Catholic teachings on human dignity.
A leading Catholic newspaper has sharply criticized Vice President JD Vance for defending federal agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse killed in Minneapolis on Saturday. The National Catholic Reporter published an op-ed by journalist John Grosso stating, “As a Catholic, Vance could have chosen to share the Gospel message of healing and human dignity. Instead, he chose to offer the MAGA message of division and blame.”
Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, reposted comments from Stephen Miller calling Pretti an “assassin” before official information was confirmed. The vice president claimed federal immigration officers were the “victims,” despite video evidence showing agents forcing Pretti to the ground and removing a legally carried gun from his waistband before firing shots. This marked the second time the publication condemned Vance, having previously called him a “moral stain” for his response to another fatal ICE shooting.
Grosso’s op-ed challenged Catholic readers to decide their allegiance, writing, “Do we serve Donald Trump? Or do we serve Jesus? Only one of them leads to salvation.” U.S. bishops urged prayer for Pretti and his loved ones, while both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV have previously criticized Vance’s positions on migrants and refugees.