Buttigieg Criticizes Trump Administration's Response to Fatal ICE Shooting
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has publicly stated that President Donald Trump and his administration find themselves "on the back foot" in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Buttigieg made these remarks during a Wednesday appearance on MS NOW, highlighting what he described as "very rare" signs of retreat from the typically vocal administration.
A Tense Exchange on "The Briefing with Jen Psaki"
Buttigieg joined former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on her program to discuss the administration's controversial handling of the incident, which occurred on January 24 in Minnesota. The conversation addressed the White House's response, including social media comments from Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who labeled Pretti a "would-be assassin." Pretti was fatally shot after being wrestled to the ground and disarmed by federal agents. Eyewitness videos show he was filming an altercation involving agents just eleven days prior to his death.
Psaki pointed out that Vice President JD Vance has remained largely silent on the issue since the shooting. She asked Buttigieg what he believes the public should learn about Vance's character from this silence.
Buttigieg's Analysis of Trump and Vance's Reactions
In response, Buttigieg offered a pointed analysis: "I think the Trump administration is so far on the back foot that you're seeing two things that are very rare: Donald Trump backing down and JD Vance shutting up. When you see those two things happening at the same time, clearly something big is afoot." He suggested that the gravity of the situation has forced uncharacteristic restraint from both figures.
This incident follows another recent shooting involving ICE officers in Minnesota, where agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good. According to witness videos, Good was attempting to maneuver her SUV on a street occupied by ICE officers when three shots were fired through her driver's window and windshield.
Administration's Narrative and Buttigieg's Rebuttal
Following both shootings, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made unsubstantiated claims that Good and Pretti were engaged in "domestic terrorism" before being shot. Vance previously commented on Good's death, calling it "a tragedy of her own making" and accusing her of "classic terrorism."
Buttigieg argued on Wednesday that Vance has repeatedly shown himself to be a political opportunist, willing to adopt any narrative that serves his ambitions, particularly as he positions himself as the potential successor to the MAGA movement. However, Buttigieg contended that Pretti's death does not present such an opportunity for Vance.
"But this is something that even he can't defend, at least not without knowing that it will undermine his chance of ever being taken seriously by anyone outside that bubble in the future," Buttigieg told Psaki. "So I think it is telling that he's gone uncharacteristically silent."
Policy Shift and Broader Implications
In a related development, ICE officers in Minnesota were directed on Wednesday to cease engagements with individuals deemed "agitators," marking a potential shift from tactics that have escalated tensions between federal agents and local protesters. This directive suggests an awareness within the agency of the need to de-escalate volatile situations.
The full conversation between Jen Psaki and Pete Buttigieg on "The Briefing" is available for viewing on his official YouTube channel, providing further insight into his critique of the administration's handling of these critical incidents.
