As tensions reach a boiling point in Minneapolis following a second fatal shooting of a civilian, protesters and others in the city are calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave the Twin Cities area, or at the very least, scale back operations.
On Saturday, Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a VA hospital, was shot at least 10 times by federal agents in Minnesota. Federal authorities say the shooting was an act of self-defense, noting that Pretti was legally carrying a firearm. But footage of the encounter seems to contradict that story: Multiple videos appear to show Pretti stepping in to help a woman agents had shoved to the ground, before he’s shoved to the ground and beaten. An agent appears to remove the gun Pretti had holstered before the shooting starts.
Critics say aggressive ICE tactics in Minnesota and elsewhere are a direct result of lowered standards in agent training and officials urging agents to arrest as many people as possible. In October, as ICE ramped up immigration raids in Chicago, Stephen Miller — widely regarded as the architect of Trump’s mass deportation efforts — appeared on Fox News and addressed ICE agents directly.
“You have federal immunity in the conduct of your duties. And anybody who lays a hand on you or tries to stop or obstruct you is committing a felony,” Miller said in the interview, which the Department of Homeland Security reshared on X just a week after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis. (Under pressure, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday that the federal agents who killed Pretti on Saturday and Good earlier this month have finally been placed on leave.)
Not all ICE officers are on board with what’s happening. A few months ago, The Atlantic spoke with a number of them, who, under anonymity, expressed varying degrees of support for the post-Biden immigration plan.
“Some ICE officers have been thrilled by Trump’s changes and what they describe as newfound free rein,” staff writer Nick Miroff wrote, but others felt morally conflicted and burnt out. “They used to worry about getting in trouble for making a mistake and wrongly arresting someone; now the risk is not being aggressive enough,” he wrote.
Increasingly, former ICE officers and retired military generals are speaking out. “ICE Is Playing Soldier, But Without the Discipline,” the headline of a critical op-ed written in The Bulwark by retired U.S. General Mark Hertling reads.
HuffPost recently spoke to six former military vets to see what they think of ICE’s use of force and de-escalation tactics. Their opinions ran the gamut: Some supported immigration agents’ efforts out of allegiance to anyone in law enforcement. Most were livid with what senior officials like Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and “border czar” Tom Homan are allowing ICE to do.
Responses have been lightly edited for length or clarity.
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‘ICE is giving orders like who they are, a cacophony of untrained thugs.’
“ICE is giving orders like who they are, a cacophony of untrained thugs. With Alex Pretti, when seven people are all yelling at you, often with conflicting instructions, there’s no way to comply with all of them. When that happens, and one or more agents get mad and start beating you or pepper-spraying you, it becomes even harder to follow instructions, and the situation continues to escalate. None of what the ICE agents did in the encounters with Renee Good or Pretti was justified. A single, calm voice was all it would have taken to de-escalate and have everyone walk away.
Every veteran who’s been through the ‘gas chamber’ and learns how to respond knows this and understands the value of clear communication. If the situation with Pretti had been on a battlefield, every one of those ICE agents would have been investigated and most would have been brought up on charges. If we wouldn’t treat an enemy combatant in that way, there is no possible justification for the brutal treatment and killing of a peaceful American citizen.
Other service people that I’ve spoken with are horrified, too. Not only did they not sign up to be part of the performative machismo that is a ‘Department of War,’ they are put in the unenviable position of trying to take care of their troops from all backgrounds who are feeling afraid. A commander should never be in the position where they have to tell their people to carry their passports around to be safe here in America.
No one is above the law, not even law enforcement officers. This administration’s claims of immunity for misconduct, violence, and unconstitutional behavior is not just misguided, it’s a license to terrorize Americans. Kristi Noem should be impeached and senior officials such as Greg Bovino and Tom Homan should be investigated and fired.” ― Bree Fram, a retired colonel in the U.S. military and a congressional candidate
‘From a military standpoint … an operation conducted in this manner would likely be considered unacceptable.’
“I disagree with how ICE is currently operating in Minneapolis, not because I oppose immigration enforcement itself, but because the approach being used appears overly aggressive and, at times, counterproductive. Broad, highly visible enforcement actions within communities risk escalating tensions and creating unnecessary chaos, which can turn already volatile situations into dangerous ones. A more targeted approach, only focused on individuals with serious criminal records who are already identified within the system and having state officials cooperate with the federal government, would likely reduce friction while still accomplishing enforcement objectives. From a military standpoint, specifically from my experience in the Marine Corps, an operation conducted in this manner would likely be considered unacceptable.
That said, this situation is not black and white. There are ICE agents who conduct themselves professionally and prioritize de-escalation, particularly those with more experience. At the same time, there are instances where less experienced agents, including some coming straight out of training, appear less prepared to manage emotionally charged civilian interactions.
Regarding the recent shootings, I don’t believe there is enough publicly available information to definitively judge whether deadly force was justified in either case. Both incidents appear to have unfolded rapidly under chaotic conditions, making them feel less like deliberate acts and more like ‘wrong place, wrong time’ scenarios. This reinforces concerns that aggressive tactics, combined with heightened rhetoric and high-stress environments, create a recipe for disaster.
Civilians also bear responsibility in these encounters. Peaceful protest is legitimate, but actions such as blocking agents, following them closely, getting in their faces, placing hands on them, or physically positioning oneself between law enforcement and an operational target significantly increase the risk of harm. These behaviors pour more fuel onto an already volatile situation. Protest can and should remain peaceful, but physical interference is counterproductive and dangerous for everyone involved.” ― Alex Montes, a mortarman in the Marine Corps
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‘We need accountability for these murders and for the reckless cowboy tactics ICE is using nationwide.’
“As a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who carried out federal law enforcement operations, I can tell you from firsthand experience: This is not how professional law enforcement officers conduct themselves.
We need accountability for these murders and for the reckless cowboy tactics ICE is using nationwide. We are a country of laws. We can enforce those laws and protect our Constitutional rights. I am praying for Alex’s family and loved ones at this tragic moment. May God be with them.
Many former Coastguardsmen who are still serving, who cannot speak out, have shared their concerns about the irresponsible handling of firearms in the most recent case of Alex Pretti. Based on available video evidence, there seems to be a consensus that the discharges could have easily resulted in killing or harming their own colleagues.” — James Martin, a Coast Guard veteran responsible for the seizure of more than 200 tons of illicit narcotics with a street value of more than $3.5 billion and the detainment and prosecution of more than 450 suspected drug traffickers
‘My friends who served all feel the same way that I feel: You’re given a task, you go out, you accomplish the mission.’
“I was in the Marines. As someone of my background, I feel that ICE is handling civilian encounters overall kind of well. They are law enforcement, so for me personally, I would rather work with law enforcement than against. Do I agree or disagree with how they’re operating in Minneapolis, specifically with the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good? Well, I wonder what would have happened if those people never went there at all and they took the road of going to work every day and taking care of their family. Where would they be right now?
ICE is paid to go out and remove people who are not in the United States legally. Was deadly force justifiable? Well, I think seeing someone utilizing a vehicle to hit someone, that would be considered a deadly object because it’s not like you can just punch an automobile. What would you use to fight against the car?
Would their conduct be accepted in my branch of the military? I know back at the timeframe that I was in actively, you get orders, you execute orders, simple as that. Some people don’t always like the end result. My friends who served all feel the same way that I feel: You’re given a task, you go out, you accomplish the mission. You shouldn’t have people getting in your way when you’re trying to accomplish the mission. There shouldn’t have been any casualties, but at the same time, why did they go out there at all when they had nothing to do with it? I think the worst thing on this whole topic is people are extremely emotional and are thinking through their emotions.” ― Kevin Steele, a former Marine
‘I have never seen such a disgusting execution outside of the Taliban cutting off Americans’ heads.’
“I believe that the way ICE or Border Patrol or whatever these masked thugs are calling themselves are conducting themselves is a disgrace to every uniform any of them have ever worn. And that’s on top of looking like completely ridiculous cosplayers wearing jungle camo in an urban winter environment. Nothing about their ‘tactics’ is acceptable. Not from a military perspective, or a law enforcement one.
In 2010 in Kalagush, Afghanistan, when I was a combat medic embedded with the infantry, we had weekly PowerPoint presentations about the rules of engagement. The locals could point a weapon in our faces, and we couldn’t do anything if they didn’t pull the trigger. If they were in a vehicle approaching our position, we went through the 5S protocol: Shout, show weapon, shove (if they were close enough), shoot non-lethals, or attempt to disable the vehicle. Then, finally, as a last resort, we would shoot the driver. Because a vehicle in motion stays in motion, and shooting the driver doesn’t prevent it from continuing forward, as we saw Renee’s car continue past the agent that was ‘struck.’
As for Alex Pretti, I have never seen such a disgusting execution outside of the Taliban cutting off Americans’ heads. I have seen the video from multiple angles. It was excessive force when they held him down and maced him. It was a crime when they hit him in the face shortly after. And it was murder when they fired indiscriminately into his body. Absolutely nothing that Alex did gave them reason to attack him in such a brutal manner. And once they had four men holding him down, they certainly didn’t need to pepper spray him directly in the face, beat him senseless, and then shoot him. It is clear in the video that his weapon, which he was legally allowed to have, was holstered and not a threat. I’m not sure if the agent who disarmed him negligently discharged it, or they just shot him because they’re untrained idiots. In any event, it does not fall under any rule of engagement I have ever heard of.
They can’t even keep their story straight as to the crimes these people committed: ’He had a gun. ‘He pulled a gun.’ ‘He fired a gun.’ ‘He took the officer’s gun.’ I have seen every one of these comments from both right-wing influencers all the way up to members of the Cabinet. The videos speak for themselves, and an investigation, I’m sure, will find them all to be the fabrications they are.
Every other soldier I’ve spoken to about this has said the same thing. If we did half of what these agents did we would be rotting in Leavenworth penitentiary. We are not at war. These are civilians, and it seems that ICE is hellbent on violating every amendment in the Bill of Rights.” ― Patrick Loller, a retired staff sergeant and combat medic in the National Guard
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‘Conduct like this within my branch of service would warrant a full investigation and, ultimately, an indictment.’
“I strongly disagree with how ICE is operating in Minneapolis. I have spoken with many friends who have served in the military, and nearly all of them feel the same way. Although these agents are operating within the United States, they must recognize that they are entering someone else’s home. There are numerous factors that must be considered in such situations. In the military, for example, we are trained to study and understand the people, customs, courtesies, and culture of the areas we enter. It is evident that these agents failed to do so prior to their operations.
Renee Good was receiving multiple commands from multiple ICE agents at the time she was shot. How is anyone expected to comply under those circumstances? Deadly force is only justified when an individual reasonably believes their life is in imminent danger. In this incident, the agent who claimed he was about to be run over could not have been in such immediate danger if he had enough time to draw his weapon, aim, and fire multiple shots ― actions that take longer than simply moving out of the way.
The killing of Alex Pretti represents yet another unnecessary and unlawful shooting. After helping a woman who had fallen and raising his free hand in submission, he was tackled to the ground, beaten, tased, disarmed, and ultimately shot more than 10 times in the back. I would like to know at what point ― after Alex was disarmed ― the ICE agents believed their lives were still in danger? Conduct like this within my branch of service would warrant a full investigation and, ultimately, an indictment.
Former President Obama and former Vice President Harris warned Americans about Donald Trump’s plans to use the military against immigrants ― those deemed not ‘for him.’ Either his supporters did not believe those warnings, or they simply did not care. Many believed he would never target the ‘good white American’ who follows the rules and embraces their Second Amendment rights.
They were wrong. While the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti are horrific tragedies, perhaps they will finally cause people to understand the true meaning of ‘stay woke’ and recognize that we are all vulnerable to the abuse of power under this administration.” ― Ashanti, a former United States Marine Corps captain
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