Senior Trump administration officials have begun acknowledging potential protocol failures in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, retreating from initial “domestic terrorist” allegations as contradictory video evidence continues to surface.
The Trump administration’s initial characterization of Alex Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” has faced a significant reversal following the release of video evidence. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller admitted officials are evaluating why agents “may not have been following” proper protocols. This marks a notable shift from early claims that Pretti posed an imminent massacre threat.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who previously described the 37-year-old ICU nurse as a violent agitator, appeared to distance herself from those labels Sunday. She told Fox News, “You’re relying on the information and facts that you’re getting from the ground,” while promising the department will “do better.” No video has yet shown Pretti reaching for his holstered weapon.
The Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into the January 24 shooting, which has renewed scrutiny of the DHS “PR machine.” Law enforcement experts noted the tactics appeared “sloppy,” especially after footage showed an agent disarming Pretti just before shots were fired. The incident remains a point of heavy debate regarding federal use-of-force transparency and agent accountability.