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Elected officials from Texas are speaking about the immigration-related unrest in Minnesota following the Jan. 24 fatal shooting of 37-year-old protester Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol Agent.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, one of President Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters and a longtime promoter of extreme tactics to prevent illegal immigration, spoke to Dallas radio host Mark Davis on Monday, where the conversation turned to the events in Minneapolis.
Abbott Blames Another Governor
“In general, we need to have respect for law enforcement officers in the country,” Abbott said to the 660 FM host. “ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], they are law enforcement officers, and so that they, being the White House, need to recalibrate on what needs to be done to make sure that that respect is going to be reinstilled.”
Many Monday headlines have emphasized the governor’s “recalibrate” remark as a challenge to Trump; however, as he continued speaking, it became clear that Abbott was taking a shot at Minnesota’s Democratic leadership and Minneapolis, not the president. He placed the blame for the recent deadly violence on Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, similar to how other national Republican leaders have done in the past month.
Cruz Calls for an Investigation
On Monday, Sen. Ted Cruz became one of the first Republicans to call for an investigation into Pretti’s killing on an episode of his long-running podcast. The senator resorted to broad generalities to make his point.
“On one side, they view every shooting as an absolute tragedy, as evidence that America has become Nazi Germany,” Cruz said. “On the other side, you see some people that seem pretty eager to celebrate a violent and lethal confrontation with law enforcement.”
Even a basic request for an investigation from a well-known conservative lawmaker is notable. Republican leaders, including Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, have consistently stated that the officers involved in both the Pretti shooting and the Jan. 7 shooting of protester Renee Good, also in Minneapolism acted in accordance with their training and that the victims were in the wrong in both cases.
An investigation into Pretti’s death would also be significant in that state and city officials, following Good’s death, reported their various attempts at investigation were stymied by federal authorities.
Cruz joined another Texas Republican, U.S. Rep. Michael McCall from Austin, who posted his desire for an investigation on X on Sunday.
“I am troubled by the events that have unfolded in Minneapolis,” McCaul wrote. “As an attorney and former federal prosecutor, I believe a thorough investigation is necessary — both to get to the bottom of these incidents and to maintain Americans’ confidence in our justice system.”
Democrat Senate Candidates Speak Out
Pretti’s death came just hours before the Saturday debate between Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico. Although the unrest in Minneapolis was mentioned during the debate, both candidates have since taken to social media to speak more definitively about the matter.
“First it was Renee Good. Then it was Alex Jeffrey Pretti,” Crockett posted on X on Monday. “Both U.S. citizens, both well-intentioned Minnesotans seeking to support their communities during this unlawful and unwarranted occupation. The question I have is how much blood does there have to be on this administration’s hands before the people with the power to check this government will step up?! Some Republicans’ silence is deafening and the others, their spin is sickening.”
On Sunday, Talarico chose a succinct approach in connecting the dots between Good, Pretti and Liam Ramos, the little boy who was recently taken into ICE custody.
“ICE shot a mother in the face,” he wrote on Sunday. “ICE kidnapped a 5-year-old boy. ICE executed a man on the street. It’s time to tear down this secret police force.”
