Late-Night Television Hosts Voice Shock and Anger Over Minneapolis Nurse Shooting
Prominent American late-night television hosts have reacted with profound shock and visible anger to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse from Minneapolis. The incident occurred during the weekend of January 24–25, when Pretti was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent amid ongoing federal enforcement operations in the city.
Jimmy Kimmel's Emotional Monologue on the Shooting
On the January 26 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, host Jimmy Kimmel delivered an especially emotional and visibly distressed monologue addressing the shooting. He revealed that he spent the weekend feeling "shocked and sick" by the events unfolding in Minneapolis. Kimmel expressed personal concerns, noting that he has family members residing in the city who are now living in fear.
During his broadcast, Kimmel posed pointed questions to his audience: "Is that the law and order that you voted for, if you voted for this? Every day is a nightmare now. My wife and I have family in Minneapolis that are afraid to take their kids to school. They’re afraid to go to work. And I can only imagine how people who aren’t white feel about this. How does this end? What’s the plan here? Is the plan to just keep doing this in every city that didn’t vote for Donald Trump? Does anyone on any side believe this is good leadership?"
Kimmel also directly challenged viewers regarding the video evidence of the incident, urging them not to rely solely on official narratives. He emphasized, "It’s on video. Look at it. Do your own research."
Other Prominent Hosts Criticize Government Response
The reaction extended beyond Kimmel's show. Other major late-night hosts also addressed the shooting and its aftermath on their January 26 programs:
- Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers highlighted what they described as political "victim-blaming" from government officials in the wake of the tragedy.
- Comedian Jon Stewart used his platform to criticize the federal government's handling of the story and the administration's characterization of Alex Pretti following the shooting.
Controversial Official Statements and Video Evidence
Initial statements from the Department of Homeland Security and senior Trump administration officials claimed that Pretti presented a threat to officers and that the Border Patrol agent acted in self-defense. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that officers had "attempted to disarm" Pretti, but "the armed suspect reacted violently," leading an agent to fire "defensive shots" while "fearing for his life and the lives of his fellow officers." She further characterized the situation as one where "an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement."
However, video footage of the incident that quickly spread online presented a conflicting narrative. Many viewers noted that the footage appeared to show Pretti was not brandishing a weapon at the moment he was shot. In some clips, he can be seen holding only a mobile phone before agents tackle him and subsequently fatally shoot him.
Broader Context and Mounting Criticism
The shooting of Alex Pretti is not an isolated incident in Minneapolis. Earlier in January, an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good, another 37-year-old woman in the city, which had already prompted protests and sustained public debate about federal law enforcement presence. Secretary Noem characterized both deaths as linked to "domestic terrorism," a label that has been strongly disputed by video evidence and witness testimony.
Reactions to Pretti's death have extended far beyond late-night television commentary:
- Federal and state officials are facing mounting criticism from various quarters.
- The White House has publicly attempted to distance President Donald Trump from some of the most provocative statements made by his senior aides.
- There are growing calls for a full independent investigation into both the shooting itself and the way authorities have described the incident.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing increased scrutiny within the administration, with reports emerging of internal disagreements over messaging and leadership following the incident.
Public outcry has also emerged from outside the political sphere. Business and technology leaders, including prominent figures from major technology companies, have condemned the shooting and called for greater accountability from government leaders regarding law enforcement actions and public communications.
