Jimmy Kimmel Condemns ICE After Killing of ICU Nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — In a deeply emotional monologue Monday night, Jimmy Kimmel addressed the nation following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, by federal agents in Minneapolis over the weekend. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, especially after recent similar tragedies in the city.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Pretti was shot by agents in self-defense after allegedly approaching them with a firearm. However, video footage released shows Pretti holding a phone and attempting to assist a civilian, contradicting official accounts. The footage also reveals that agents removed a gun from Pretti’s waistband before firing multiple shots. Law enforcement sources confirm that Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry in Minnesota, an open carry state.
Pretti’s death comes just weeks after ICE agents fatally shot Renée Good nearby, intensifying public concern over the agency’s conduct. Kimmel, visibly choked up, described the federal agents as “poorly trained, shamefully led, mask-wearing goons” committing “vile, heartless, and even criminal acts.” He criticized the agency’s refusal to admit mistakes, highlighting the conflicting narratives around both Pretti’s and Good’s deaths.
“They say the Honda SUV Renée Good was driving was weaponized,” Kimmel said. “Alex Pretti had a license to carry in an open carry state. Many of these same people screamed very loudly about when it was Kyle Rittenhouse carrying the gun. A gun that Alex Pretti did not even draw, did not touch. A gun that was taken from him by one of the agents before he was shot dead by the other ones. They fired 10 times on an ICU nurse.”
The talk show host’s remarks struck a chord with many Americans grappling with the escalating violence linked to ICE operations. He recounted the fear gripping Minneapolis families, including his own relatives, who are now hesitant to send their children to school or go to work. Kimmel questioned the broader implications of such federal actions, asking, “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 lambasted the absence of moderate voices on the political right, urging a frank reckoning with the facts. “If that was a group of trans swimmers shooting a guy for making a cell phone video, you’d be heating up the electric chairs right now. Admit it. You would. Let’s cut the bullshit already.”
He expressed solidarity with the families of Pretti and Good, as well as the Minneapolis community, emphasizing that they are “not alone” amid the turmoil. Kimmel highlighted Pretti’s dedication as an ICU nurse who cared for veterans, playing a poignant video of Pretti honoring a fallen patient, reminding viewers that “freedom is not free” and must be protected and nurtured.
As the nation watches developments closely, calls for transparency and accountability from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are intensifying. The incident has also drawn criticism from civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, which has condemned the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians.
With investigations ongoing, the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renée Good underscore the urgent need to reevaluate federal law enforcement practices and their impact on communities across the country.
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