Congressional Outrage Over Federal Agent Shooting in Minneapolis
Massachusetts Democratic Representative Seth Moulton has launched a blistering attack on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, demanding criminal prosecution following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti by federal agents on Saturday morning. The incident has sparked national controversy and renewed debates about federal law enforcement practices.
"Outright Murder" by Federal Officials
In a fiery video posted to social media platform X, Congressman Moulton declared the shooting "another outright murder by federal officials" and delivered scathing criticism of the involved ICE officers. "What we just saw this morning on the streets of Minneapolis is another outright murder by federal officials. And let me just be clear, those federal ICE officers are absolute cowards," Moulton stated emphatically.
The Massachusetts representative continued his condemnation in written posts, directly addressing the agency: "YOU ARE COWARDS. You are all absolute, pathetic, untrained, unprofessional COWARDS. Todd Lyons and the rest of you not only need to be defunded, you need to be PROSECUTED."
Controversial Circumstances Surrounding the Shooting
Multiple videos circulating online captured the moments leading up to the fatal encounter, showing federal agents wrestling 37-year-old Alex Pretti to the ground before shooting him multiple times. The Department of Homeland Security has alleged that Pretti was armed and "violently resisted" officers during the confrontation.
Greg Bovino, commander-at-large for U.S. Border Patrol, told reporters that the victim "wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement." However, video evidence has raised questions about these claims, as it remains unclear whether Pretti was actually reaching for a weapon during the altercation.
Military Veteran's Perspective on Law Enforcement Conduct
Drawing from his military background, Congressman Moulton provided a unique perspective on the incident. "I'm a Marine veteran standing here telling you to your face, they are unprofessional, pathetic cowards. Because if a Marine, an 18-year-old Marine, did that in Iraq in the middle of a war zone, he would be court martialed, because it is murder," Moulton asserted.
The congressman further criticized the agents' tactics, stating: "And you pathetic little cowards who have to wear face masks 'cause you're so damn scared couldn't even effectively wrestle a guy to the ground, so you needed to shoot him. This is why ICE needs to be prosecuted."
Local Government Response and Broader Implications
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey responded to the incident by urging President Donald Trump to remove federal forces from the city. Frey expressed concern about "the mass militarized force, unidentified agents" operating in Minneapolis, stating that such presence "is what weakens our country."
Moulton escalated his criticism by directly targeting acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, labeling him and his officers as "criminal thugs." The congressman emphasized the need for accountability, declaring: "You need to be held accountable to law if you think you can enforce it, and you need to be prosecuted right now."
This incident represents another flashpoint in ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement agencies and local communities, raising significant questions about use of force protocols, transparency in federal operations, and the appropriate role of federal agents in domestic law enforcement situations.
