Stephen Miller Criticizes CBP Over Alex Pretti Shooting

Stephen Miller, a senior advisor in the Trump administration known for his hardline views on immigration, has publicly questioned Customs and Border Protection's handling of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The 37-year-old U.S. citizen and intensive care nurse died on January 24, 2026, after agents fired at him during a street confrontation near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in the Whittier neighborhood. Miller's comments mark a rare break from full support for federal agents amid growing questions about the use of force.

Background

The shooting took place during protests against Operation Metro Surge, a federal effort to boost enforcement in cities like Minneapolis following the earlier killing of Renée Good by an ICE agent on January 7. Pretti, who worked as a nurse for the Department of Veterans Affairs and held a legal permit to carry a handgun, was across the street from a doughnut shop where federal agents were trying to gain entry. A person had run inside the shop, and staff locked the doors, blocking the agents.

Pretti and two civilians stood nearby, watching the scene and directing traffic as agents moved into the street. Videos show one agent pushing a woman with an orange backpack. Pretti stepped in to help, briefly touching the agent's waist as he tried to shield the woman. The agent then sprayed pepper spray at Pretti and the woman. More agents joined, leading to a struggle as they tried to take Pretti into custody.

A Department of Homeland Security report sent to Congress outlines the sequence. It states that agents attempted to detain Pretti after the initial push. He resisted, and during the struggle, a Border Patrol agent yelled, 'He's got a gun!' multiple times. About five seconds later, one agent fired a CBP-issued Glock 19, and another fired a Glock 47 at Pretti. The report notes that after the shots, an agent said he had possession of Pretti's firearm. It does not say if Pretti reached for his weapon or if both shots hit him.

Civilian videos paint a different picture. They show Pretti holding a cell phone in his right hand and nothing in his left before the tackle. An agent in a gray jacket reached into the scuffle empty-handed and came out with a gun, turning away just as the first shot fired. Analysis by news outlets found agents fired at least 10 shots in five seconds, some after Pretti was pinned to the ground, braced against the pavement with his phone and glasses in hand, and even as he lay motionless.

A local physician who witnessed the event provided CPR to Pretti until medics arrived. The doctor later filed a sworn statement noting at least three bullet wounds in Pretti's back, one in the upper-left chest, and a possible neck wound. The physician said officers seemed to count bullet holes instead of offering immediate aid.

Key Details

Agent Actions and DHS Account

The DHS report confirms two agents discharged their weapons but makes no mention of Pretti reaching for his gun. It describes the lead-up: A CBP officer ordered two women out of the roadway during nearby enforcement. When they did not move, he pushed them. One woman ran to Pretti, and the officer tried to move both. He deployed pepper spray, then more agents arrived to assist.

Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who oversaw the operation, defended the agents in a CNN interview the next day. He insisted Pretti approached with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Bovino called the agents the 'victims' and said Pretti put himself in the situation. When pressed on video showing an agent removing the gun before shots were fired, Bovino stuck to his account.

Some agents wore body cameras, according to U.S. officials. Bovino, who had served eight years with the Border Patrol and trained as a Range Safety Officer, was later demoted and left Minnesota.

Miller's Response and Internal Tensions

Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump-era immigration policies, acknowledged a possible breach of protocol in the shooting. His comments came amid reports of internal divisions in the Trump team. Miller has also been linked to claims that Pretti wanted to 'massacre' agents, though videos contradict any such intent.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, now DHS Secretary, met with Trump as scrutiny mounted. Sources say her actions, including Operation Metro Surge, followed directions from Trump and Miller. Noem's department initially claimed defensive shots after disarming Pretti, but videos show the gun removed prior to firing.

Lawmakers from both parties called for probes. Over two dozen congressional Republicans joined Democrats in demanding a full investigation.

"He's got a gun!" – Border Patrol agent, as stated in DHS report during the struggle with Pretti.

Witnesses in sworn statements said Pretti did not brandish his weapon. Frame-by-frame video reviews by multiple outlets confirmed he held his phone, not a gun, right before being tackled.

What This Means

Miller's criticism of CBP highlights rifts within the administration's law enforcement ranks. As a staunch supporter of strict border measures, his shift puts pressure on DHS leadership, including Noem, who reports to Trump. The incident has fueled protests and demands for accountability, with more than 20 Republican lawmakers breaking ranks to seek answers.

DHS faces questions over training and use-of-force rules, especially in urban protests. The report's silence on Pretti reaching for his gun, combined with video evidence, raises doubts about the defensive claim. Pretti's death, the second in Minneapolis tied to federal operations, has intensified local anger and calls to end metro surges.

Investigations continue, with Congress awaiting full body camera footage and witness interviews. Bovino's exit and agent demotions signal internal reviews. For Trump's team, the shooting tests unity on immigration enforcement as public trust in federal actions wanes. Families and activists watch closely, pushing for charges against the agents who fired while Pretti lay still.

The case spotlights broader tensions between federal agents and citizens in protest zones. Pretti, a licensed gun owner with no criminal record, became part of a national debate on police tactics. As details emerge, it could reshape how operations like Metro Surge proceed in Democratic-led cities.