Topline
President Donald Trump appeared to break with Second Amendment advocates who have backed Alex Pretti’s legal carry of a gun during protests in Minnesota on Saturday, telling reporters Tuesday, “You can’t walk in with guns” when asked about a Border Patrol agent’s fatal shooting of Pretti.
\U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media on the South Lawn as he departs the White House on January 27, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Key Facts
“You can’t walk in with guns,” Trump said, adding, “You can’t do that,” before calling the shooting of Pretti a “very unfortunate incident.”
Trump’s rhetoric was similar to that of Los Angeles-based federal prosecutor Bill Essayli, who tweeted over the weekend that, “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.”
That prompted a response from the National Rifle Association, which called his comments “dangerous and wrong,” adding, “Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.”
When asked if Pretti’s death was justified, Trump said he wanted to see a “very honorable and honest investigation,” as Homeland Security Investigations has said it will conduct a probe into the Pretti shooting despite bipartisan calls for a state-level investigation.
Trump, whose administration has called Pretti a “domestic terrorist” and “assassin,” said he loves Pretti’s family and that his death is “a very sad situation.”
Trump has not said he met with Pretti’s family following his death, as the 37-year-old ICU nurse’s parents blasted the Trump administration in a Sunday statement that said their son was attacked by “Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.”
Forbes has reached out to the NRA for comment.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
What Have Gun Rights Advocates Said About The Alex Pretti Shooting?
In addition to the NRA, the Gun Owners of America blasted Essayli’s statement, adding it was “saddened by the loss of life in Minneapolis.” The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus called for a “full and transparent investigation by both state and federal authorities,” adding, “Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including while attending protests.” National Association for Gun Rights president Dudley Brown told Politico, “I know of no more crucial place to carry a firearm for self defense than a protest.”
Contra
The NRA also pointed to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after the shooting, much like the president did. “For months, radical progressive politicians like Tim Walz have incited violence against law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs. Unsurprisingly, these calls to dangerously interject oneself into legitimate law-enforcement activities have ended in violence, tragically resulting in injuries and fatalities,” the organization said in a tweet. Trump after the shooting accused Walz and Minneapolis’ Democratic mayor of “inciting insurrection.”
Key Background
Protests have erupted in Minnesota and other major cities following the fatal shooting of Pretti and Renee Good, the latter of whom was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent earlier this month. The Trump administration also called Good a “domestic terrorist” following her death and claimed she was trying to weaponize her vehicle to run over an ICE agent, conflicting with video evidence that showed she was turning her vehicle away from an agent in front of the left side of her car before being shot to death. The administration’s characterization of Pretti’s death also conflicted with video evidence and witness testimony of the shooting, which occurred after Pretti placed himself between agents and a woman they had pushed to the ground. Pretti, whose gun was holstered as he recorded agents with his phone, was pepper sprayed and brought to the ground by agents, who appeared to disarm him before at least 10 shots were fired, video showed. The Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly blocked Minnesota state investigators from reviewing evidence linked to Good and Pretti’s deaths.
Further Reading
How Trump Officials—Noem, Miller, Patel—Portrayed Pretti As Violent Despite Conflicting Evidence (Forbes)
Greg Bovino Isn’t Losing Job Despite Report Suggesting Otherwise, DHS Says (Forbes)
