"Let's clarify the context leading to the 24/1 incident. The tragedy resulted from weeks of deliberate and hostile resistance from Democratic leaders in Minnesota," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press conference on 26/1. She was referring to the incident last weekend in Minneapolis where federal agents shot and killed American citizen Alex Pretti during an immigration enforcement operation.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at a White House press conference on 26/1. Photo: Reuters

Leavitt affirmed that President Donald Trump will "never back down from his promise to deport aggressive illegal immigrant criminals to make America safe again, and welcomes all cooperative efforts on this issue".

The White House Press Secretary called on political leaders in Minnesota to hand over detained undocumented immigrants to federal authorities, along with any undocumented immigrants with outstanding warrants or criminal records for immediate deportation.

She added that President Trump wants Congress to immediately pass legislation ending policies adopted by some "sanctuary cities" to shield undocumented border crossers.

Moment a man was shot by federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 24/1. Video: X/DMichaelTripi

On-site video footage contradicts information from the Trump administration, which claimed immigration agents fired in self-defense when nurse Pretti approached them with a handgun. The footage shows Pretti holding only a phone, not a gun, when agents tackled him. The video also captures officers disarming Pretti of one holstered gun near his waist after he was subdued, just before they fatally shot him. Pretti was a licensed gun owner.

Minneapolis experienced two fatal shootings last month involving agents conducting immigration enforcement. The first occurred on 7/1 when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, during an encounter in south Minneapolis. The shooting resulting in Pretti's death was the second.

Democratic leaders have strongly opposed the Trump administration's increased deployment of immigration agents to Minnesota, arguing it endangers public safety. Numerous large-scale protests have also taken place against the immigration crackdown in the state, despite freezing temperatures.

Vu Hoang (According to Reuters)