President Donald Trump sidestepped a question from ABC News senior political correspondent Rachel Scott regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The shooting involved federal agents, and rather than answer, Trump went after Scott, prompting applause from the crowd at the Horizon Events Center in Clive, Iowa.
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, Trump labeled Scott and ABC News as “fake news.” He said he disliked Scott and claimed she hadn’t asked him a worthwhile question in years. In December, he had also referred to her as “the most obnoxious reporter in the entire place” and a poor journalist.
Trump described Pretti’s death as tragic but also criticized him for having a gun during his encounter with federal agents. Pretti had a holstered pistol at his waist. However, video obtained by CBS News, ABC News, and other outlets shows Pretti was holding only his cellphone when agents approached.
Video footage shows an officer removing the gun from Pretti’s waistband during a struggle roughly one second before the first shot was fired. At no point in the footage does Pretti reach for or draw the firearm. Minnesota officials confirmed that Pretti legally possessed a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Gun rights advocates condemned the president’s remarks about an armed citizen. Both the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America—organizations known for supporting lawful gun owners—criticized officials’ comments following the shooting.
The shooting occurred during Operation Metro Surge, a large federal law enforcement deployment in Minneapolis that faced pushback and legal challenges from state and local leaders opposed to federal intervention.
The U.S. Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into Pretti’s death. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the inquiry, stating, “We’re looking at everything that would shed light on what happened that day.” The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations are leading the probe.
Following a conversation with Trump, Gov. Walz called for independent investigations into shootings carried out by federal agents. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, held discussions with Walz and Mayor Frey. In an exclusive ABC News interview, Trump said federal operations would be reduced.
Trump also claimed that crime in Minnesota had dropped due to the federal mission.
Tensions between Trump and ABC’s Scott intensified during an exclusive Jan. 27 interview. Trump claimed, without supporting evidence, that Representative Ilhan Omar arranged an attack against herself during a Minneapolis town hall where a man sprayed her with apple cider vinegar.
Prior to Pretti’s death, Minneapolis had already seen protests over the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, by an ICE agent. ICE asserted the agent acted in self-defense, alleging Good used her car as a weapon—an account challenged by local officials, including Mayor Frey.
Trump’s combative approach toward reporters—particularly women and journalists of color—has been a consistent pattern throughout his political career. Scott, like other journalists who have pressed him with challenging questions, has frequently been singled out by Trump.
Amid growing anger and scrutiny over the fatal shootings, Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis on Monday, Jan. 27, to meet with Gov. Walz, Mayor Frey, and other leaders. Homan took over Operation Metro Surge from Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino and worked to negotiate with local officials.
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Homan announced that 700 of the roughly 3,000 federal officers in Minnesota would be withdrawn “effective immediately,” citing what he referred to as unprecedented cooperation from county jails in transferring detained immigrants to ICE.
On Friday, Feb. 13, Homan stated that Operation Metro Surge would be fully shut down, with the remaining officers departing days later. The decision marked a major shift for the administration, which had faced intense criticism following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, widespread protests, and bipartisan opposition.