Megyn Kelly Faces Widespread Criticism for Comments on Border Patrol Shooting
Conservative podcaster Megyn Kelly has ignited a firestorm of controversy with her recent remarks about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, by federal immigration officers. During her Monday broadcast, Kelly expressed frustration with what she described as Americans facing deadly consequences due to their own poor decisions.
Kelly's Controversial Statements on Her Show
"I'm so sick of this bullshit," Kelly declared emphatically on her program. She argued that Pretti, who was participating in a protest against immigration enforcement, had placed himself in harm's way. "He was there with a loaded gun, looking to cause trouble for the Border Patrol agents, and that trouble came back on him," Kelly asserted, suggesting misconduct on Pretti's part.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, was captured on video showing immigration officers confronting Pretti before wrestling him to the ground. An analysis by The Washington Post revealed that an agent removed Pretti's firearm from his holster prior to multiple shots being fired.
Kelly offered blunt advice during her broadcast: "You don't resist arrest. You don't antagonize cops in the middle of the street in a law enforcement operation, and then, when they've got hands on you, trying to place you under arrest, you submit. That's it. Submit."
Personal Defense and Immediate Backlash
In a particularly pointed moment, Kelly stated: "I know I'm supposed to feel sorry for Alex Pretti, but I don't. I don't. Do you know why I wasn't shot by Border Patrol this weekend? Because I kept my ass inside and out of their operations."
These comments quickly drew condemnation across the political spectrum. MeidasTouch's Brett Meiselas responded on social media platform X, writing: "You can tell these people aren't actually religious because if they were they'd actually be worried about going to hell."
Democratic influencer Harry Sisson criticized what he perceived as hypocrisy: "If someone said they don't feel sorry for Charlie Kirk she would lose it but if it's an ICU nurse who did nothing wrong then it's OK, according to Megyn. Nice!"
Biblical Rebuke from Former RNC Chair
Perhaps the most substantial criticism came from Michael Steele, former Republican National Committee chair and current MSNBC host. Steele chastised Kelly for choosing to be "cruel instead of compassionate" and invoked scripture in his rebuke.
"You chose to be cruel instead of compassionate; to be evil in spirit instead of empathetic; to ignore what God asks us to do—'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:39," Steele wrote. He added pointedly: "Perhaps Megyn you don't feel anything for Alex because you don't feel anything for yourself."
Context of Previous Remarks
This incident follows Kelly's sarcastic response to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's demand that Immigration and Customs Enforcement leave his state. On X, Kelly joked that former President Donald Trump "should pull ICE out of MN today & announce that there will be no more immigration enforcement in MN at all. All illegals in the US are encouraged to move there."
The controversy highlights deepening divisions in American discourse surrounding immigration enforcement, protest rights, and appropriate responses to law enforcement encounters. Kelly's remarks have positioned her at the center of a heated national conversation about accountability, compassion, and the boundaries of political commentary.
