At a Glance
- President Donald Trump called the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good “terrible,” noting Good’s death felt “even worse” because her parents were Trump fans.
- Pretti was killed on January 24, 2026 during a protest against ICE enforcement; Good died on January 7, 2026 after a group blocked an immigration action.
- Trump said he would “de-escalate” federal immigration operations in Minneapolis but clarified it was not a full pullback.
- Why it matters: The remarks highlight ongoing tensions over ICE enforcement and the impact of federal actions on local communities.
President Donald Trump spoke publicly about two recent deaths in Minneapolis that occurred during protests against federal immigration enforcement. The victims, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, were shot by federal agents amid heightened ICE activity, and Trump described both incidents as “terrible,” adding that Good’s death felt “even worse” because her parents were longtime Trump supporters.
Trump’s Statements on the Shootings
In an appearance on The Will Cain Show on Fox News on January 27, 2026, the 79-year-old president said the shootings were “terrible.” He added, “Bottom line, it was terrible. Both of them were terrible; the other was terrible too,” and noted that Good’s parents were “big Trump fans.”
During the interview, Trump also speculated about Good’s motives. “I don’t know that you could say radicalized, maybe radicalized, maybe not,” he said. “I don’t know, but I hate to see it.”
Trump learned that Good’s father, Timothy Ganger, was a “big supporter” of his during a January 13 interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil.
Background on the Incidents
Alex Pretti
Pretti was a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident who was shot by federal agents on January 24, 2026 while attending a protest against ICE enforcement actions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the killing occurred during a “targeted operation” against an “illegal alien wanted for violent assault.” The agency claimed a man approached officers armed with a handgun and “violently resisted” as they attempted to disarm him.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara identified the victim as Pretti, a lawful gun owner with a permit. However, witnesses released videos that contradicted DHS’s account, suggesting Pretti appeared unarmed at the time of his death. Pretti’s family released a statement calling the DHS account “sickening lies.”
The DHS’s initial report to Congress stated that two federal agents fired their guns, a claim reported by CNN on January 27, 2026.
Renee Nicole Good
Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was shot by federal agents on January 7, 2026 after a group of people allegedly gathered to block an immigration enforcement action. City Council member Jason Chavez described Good as “an observer … watching out for our immigrant neighbors,” according to ABC News.
On January 20, 2026, Trump addressed Good’s death during a briefing with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, saying ICE would “make mistakes sometimes.” He also acknowledged Good’s father was a “tremendous Trump fan,” adding, “He was all for Trump. Loved Trump. And, you know, it’s terrible. It’s so sad. It just happens.”
Official Responses and Statements
- DHS: Tricia McLaughlin released a statement on January 20, 2026 describing the operation as a targeted effort against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault.
- Minneapolis Police: Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti’s identity and provided details about the incident.
- City Council: Jason Chavez highlighted Good’s status as a U.S. citizen and her role as an observer.
- White House: Trump’s comments on January 20, 2026 and January 27, 2026 emphasized the need for de-escalation but clarified it was not a full pullback of ICE operations.
Trump’s De-Escalation Plan
During the Fox News interview, Trump said he would “de-escalate” immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. He clarified that the move was not a “pullback,” stating, “I don’t think it’s a pullback. It’s a little bit of a change. We’re going to de-escalate a little bit.”
This stance follows the heightened scrutiny of federal agents’ actions during protests, with local officials and community members calling for greater accountability and transparency.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 7, 2026 | Renee Nicole Good shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. |
| January 13, 2026 | Good’s father Timothy Ganger interviewed by CBS Evening News. |
| January 20, 2026 | Trump comments on Good’s death during a White House briefing. |
| January 24, 2026 | Alex Pretti shot by federal agents during ICE protest. |
| January 27, 2026 | Trump discusses both shootings on The Will Cain Show and announces de-escalation plan. |
Key Takeaways
- President Donald Trump described the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good as “terrible,” with Good’s death feeling “even worse” due to her parents’ support for him.
- The incidents highlight ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities in Minneapolis.
- Trump announced a de-escalation of ICE operations in the city but denied it was a full pullback.
- Official statements from DHS, Minneapolis Police, and the White House provide differing accounts of the incidents, reflecting the complexity of the situation.
These developments underscore the continuing debate over federal immigration enforcement tactics and the impact of such actions on protest movements and local populations.
