The latest tragedy in Minnesota, the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents during an enforcement operation, has sparked intense national debate about law enforcement practices and political rhetoric, with many critics accusing officials of hypocrisy in how they defend and respond to the incident. Suddenly, a lot of government members and ICE supporters are against guns. This shift was pointed out by anti-ICE supporters and anyone who mourns Pretti’s murder. It didn’t help that Kristi Noem’s initial narrative claimed that Pretti was going to use his gun. When video evidence disproved that narrative, the focus shifted to the claim that people shouldn’t be allowed to carry guns with them. Now, Trump is shifting his previous opinions about the Second Amendment when he was asked about Pretti.
While addressing reporters, Trump started answering a question offered by PBS News’ Liz Landers. The reporter asked Trump about the Minnesota victim as she said, “Sir, was Mr. Pretti acting as an assassin?” He answered no. What came next was a clear shift from his previous stance on gun ownership. “You can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns,” he said before continuing,“You just can’t.” This statement is a clear infringement on the 2nd Amendment. “What about the Second Amendment?” the reporter then asked. Instead of addressing this question, Trump repeated his new belief that people can’t walk with guns. “But it’s just a very unfortunate incident,” he then added.
Trump’s comments on the Minnesota victim showed a clear shift in his position on guns. He repeated statements said by his own administration including that of Director Kash Patel. “You cannot bring a firearm loaded with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It is that simple,” said Patel according to ABC7 Chicago. Even the publication couldn’t help but point out how Trump supported Kyle Rittenhouse who also brought a gun to a protest. Not to mention that some of the Jan. 6 rioters had guns. Some Republicans even pointed out this hypocrisy. “The height of hypocrisy which continues out of the White House, scrambling to find some reason to show why these agents were justified,” said former Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin as according to the publication.
People Reacting to Trump’s Statement on the Minnesota Victim
What Trump said regarding Pretti carrying a gun in Minnesota had sparked outrage. Online users couldn’t help but point out how this was hypocritical. This is why one person wrote, “MAGA is now anti-guns!” Another person pointed out how Trump’s answer would have caused backlash if it were said by Joe Biden. “‘You can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns,’ the president said. If Biden had said that the NRA and the gun fetish crowd would loose their [expletive]. Trump says it and they all kneel down to lick the boot,” they said. Someone else focused on how Trump called the tragic killing of Pretti unfortunate. “Stubbing your toe is unfortunate. Losing the TV remote is unfortunate. Shooting a man a dozen times in the back is not ‘unfortunate’,” they commented.
More people expressed how they were upset by Trump’s answers. Many had to bring up Rittenhouse including one person who wrote, “Remember that time in 2020, a teenage [expletive] traveled across state lines with a premeditated intention of forcing a ‘stand your ground’ confrontation (driven by his mommy), with an illegal straw purchased weapon, killed two people, and then got to meet Trump as a reward?” Another person hoped that Republicans would see Trump’s true character. “Hopefully at least a few republicans start to wake up to the fact that trump doesn’t give two [epxletive] about them or any of their values. He’s not pro-gun, he’s not pro-life, he’s not pro-America. He’s pro-trump and that’s the only thing on his agenda,” they wrote. The Constitution’s amendments should guarantee rights for all citizens, not just for a select few.
