Washington, D.C. — First Lady Melania Trump made an unusually public intervention on Tuesday in response to growing national outrage after the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, calling on demonstrators to protest peacefully and Americans to come together in unity.
Speaking on Fox & Friends, Melania emphasized that she opposes violence and urged protesters to exercise their rights “in peace” while condemning riots that have accompanied demonstrations. “We need to unify,” she said, noting that President Trump had recently held discussions with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to seek cooperation in calming tensions.
Her remarks come amid an intensifying public debate over federal involvement in Minneapolis and conflicting narratives surrounding the circumstances of Pretti’s death.
Outrage and Conflicting Accounts of the Shooting
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, was killed over the weekend in Minneapolis after being shot by Customs and Border Protection agents during a heightened federal immigration enforcement operation.
Initial statements by Department of Homeland Security officials described the shooting as justified self-defense in the face of an alleged threat — but widely circulated video footage appears to contradict that account, showing Pretti unarmed and holding only a cellphone when the fatal shots were fired.
The incident has provoked sizeable protests in Minneapolis and solidarity demonstrations in cities across the United States, with many demonstrators demanding accountability, transparency, and changes to federal enforcement tactics.
Administration’s Response and Political Fallout
The Trump administration’s response has included shifts in messaging and personnel moves. Reports indicate that a senior Border Patrol commander leading the Minneapolis enforcement effort has been removed from his role, and border
President Trump has also spoken with Minnesota leaders and publicly framed the situation as serious and under review, while facing bipartisan calls for impartial investigations and federal de-escalation.
Despite the First Lady’s call for peaceful protest, critics argue her message glosses over broader concerns about federal tactics and the administration’s earlier characterization of Pretti. The tragedy has triggered political fallout on both sides of the aisle, from legal challenges to budgetary battles over Department of Homeland Security funding.
Broader National Impact
The killing of Pretti — occurring just weeks after another fatal shooting involving federal agents in the same city — has amplified tensions over immigration enforcement and civil liberties. Several prominent figures, including former President Barack Obama and lawmakers from both parties, have urged calm while demanding thorough, independent investigations.
Protests continue, with demonstrators calling not only for answers about Pretti’s death but also for broader reforms to federal law enforcement’s involvement in local communities.