Militia Leader Warns Trump 'Tyranny' Will Worsen After Alex Pretti Shooting
By: Suzanne Blake (Newsweek)
Ask Gretchen Whitmer about armed protesters.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A top militia leader has warned that President Donald Trump's "tyranny" will only get worse after the administration's justification of Alex Pretti's murder.
"For this administration to say that carrying at a protest could justify murder is tyrannical," a Virginia Kekoas militia leader identified as "ICE" by documentarian Ford Fischer said in comments released to X.
Why It Matters
Pretti, age 37, was killed by Border Patrol agents on Saturday in Minneapolis.
The Department of Homeland Security said on social media that Pretti had approached the officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.
"The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted," DHS wrote. "More details on the armed struggle are forthcoming. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene."
What To Know
Fischer, a documentarian, said he asked militiamen who attended Monday's Second Amendment rally armed in Richmond, Virginia, how they felt about the shooting of Pretti.
"I've been open carrying at rallies since 2019," one of the militiamen said. "There is zero difference between this man carrying his firearm at a protest than me or my boys carrying at a protest."
He added: "The First and Second Amendments do not stop where politics and opinions differ… These GOD GIVEN rights are absolute. The killing of Alex Pretti was unjustified as the video clearly showed he was disarmed by the agent in the grey jacket."
He also called the Trump administration's attempts to lie about what occurred in the shooting, captured on video, "shameful."
In a final comment, he warned about the possibility of tyranny escalating under the Trump administration.
"We may differ politically however it is crucial we stand together here," the militia leader's text read. "We are now facing tyranny that will only worsen with time."
According to Fischer's X post, another militia leader said: "The ICE shooting that occurred yesterday was not justified in my view. The man who was killed was lawfully carrying, was recording the operation, and was seen helping a woman who had been pushed to the ground. None of those actions justified a lethal response from federal agents."
The responses were cited as being from Virginia Kekoas militia leader "ICE" and member "Sasquatch".
These militia members regularly organize to protect themselves from criminals, the federal government, as well as natural disasters, members say.
Pretti's death has sparked significant debate on ICE operations in Minneapolis and around the country, as well as on guns, specifically concerning concealed carry rights at protests.
Trump's officials have called Pretti a "domestic terrorist", while bystander videos show Pretti with a phone in his hand and no visible weapon. Family members have confirmed that Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Minnesota.
Earlier this month, also in Minneapolis, ICE agents fatally shot another civilian, Renee Good.
On Sunday, Fox News host Trey Gowdy also criticized the Trump administration's framing of the killing.
"The administration, you know, Bill, I think there is a temptation in our culture to be first, even at the expense of being right. You only have to watch this video a couple of times to know it is a very fact-intensive inquiry," Gowdy told co-anchor Bill Hemmer.
"It could come down, it could come down, Bill, to which of those 10 shots was actually the fatal shot. And I think what frustrates people — you remember Kyle Rittenhouse and how he was made a hero on the right. I'm sure there are people on the conservative side who are saying, 'Wait a minute, you mean you can't take a firearm to a protest? Because you were just celebrating a guy for doing it a couple of years ago.' Alex Pretti's firearm was lawfully being carried. It's lawful to carry a gun in Minnesota. He never brandished it. He didn't point it at the cops."
What People Are Saying
Trey Gowdy said on Fox News: "I think what frustrates people — you remember Kyle Rittenhouse and how he was made a hero on the right. I'm sure there are people on the conservative side who are saying, 'Wait a minute, you mean you can't take a firearm to a protest? Because you were just celebrating a guy for doing it a couple of years ago.' Alex Pretti's firearm was lawfully being carried. It's lawful to carry a gun in Minnesota. He never brandished it. He didn't point it at the cops."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "This is the gunman's gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go—What is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why weren't they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves—Not an easy thing to do!"
What Happens Next
Minnesota officials filed a lawsuit and a temporary restraining order to stop Trump officials from "destroying or altering evidence" relating to the shooting of Pretti.
"As I told the White House in no uncertain terms this morning, the federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation," Walz said Sunday.
Be a good human. Grossly derogatory comments, blatantly inflammatory comments, excessive trolling, mean-spirited taunting and insults, scamming, spamming, and off topic comments may be removed in compliance with the site's Terms of Service and the Code of Conduct. The moderators have the final word.
Tags
Who is online
230 visitors
Trump creates gun controls by just saying so. Why isn't this a more intrusive BIGGER Big Government?
"It is going to be the BIGGEST Big Government that anyone has ever seen. (Hugging motions and kissy faces) I love the biggest and best government in the world. world history. The Biggest! Thank you for your attention to this matter."
It Absolutely IS, but some feel there should be two different standards dependent upon which side one is coming from, which is complete bullshit.
Prematurely, and wrongly, blaming the victim is just insulting to anyone viewing these videos. The 2nd Amendment needs to be applied uniformly, and not be politicized, yet 47 doesn't seem to be able to NOT politicise about anything!
Right wing militias now good?
This administration, to meat least, is what the 2nd Amendment was established for.
So right militias now good?
What, in your opinion was the reason behind the 2nd Amendment ...?
So, bringing gun to a protest now bad?
If you expect an answer to your question, don’t answer the original question with a question.
Why would I expect an answer from someone who never answers questions? Especially the question I asked. It would take something you lack to answer that one.
You see, your “question” was so hypocritical and trollish, that I chose to highlight those qualities with my question. You missed that point, of course. Am I surprised? Not in the least.
Lol …. The answer to that accusation lives on here on NTers. Anyone paying attention will find your accusation to be bullshit so stop projecting and answer the question. Or not. Either way I could care less.
Weren't those militias part of Trump's base? If Trump's base of support is warning about Trump then, perhaps, it is time to pay attention.
lol … okay, rightwing militias now good. Got it.
It is beginning to look like we're going to need those rightwing militias. Have you noticed the militias are talking about the founders' intent for the 2nd amendment?
If Trump's base of support is warning about Trump then maybe it's time to pay attention.
It is way past time, but better late than never. I'm not sure what Sparty thinks our 2nd amendment is actually for, as he didn't leave me a reply, cause by my interpretation of it, Trump is providing a very appropriate ample example. I own guns, and I enjoy shooting. I would not have any problem with some common sense new rules and or laws to help better police guns so as less children and citizens in general need die needlessly. Guns are not going to be exiting our society in my lifetime, or our grandkids, so if Trump wishes to use the gullibility of his maga followers to his advantage, specifically with guns, he and they should show him exactly where they and many other Americans draw the line. So far, children rape and trafficking, and 2nd Amendment rights, seem to be bridges too far, which is sad, but at least a start in the correct direction to limit this dick tater twot grabbin back stabbin protector of kid knabbin bullshit babblin Epstein predator buddy pedo protectering POS of a potUS, and introduce he to the limitations of his Constitution smatherin actions and introduce him to some boundaries.
lol …. That’s my point. Right militias generally have been looked at as being kooks. Because for the most part they are extremist kooks. Just like left wing groups like Antifa being extremist left wing kooks. The left has correctly been bagging on these right wing kooks. Now they are agreeing with them? Only because of Trump?
You have to see the craziness of that Nerm. Can’t believe you don’t