Washington [US], January 27: The administration of US President Donald Trump is facing a wave of fierce opposition following two shootings by federal agents involved in a crackdown on illegal immigrants in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Contradictory statement
The first incident occurred on January 7th, when an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent shot and killed poet Renee Good. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed the agent fired in self-defense when Good drove her car into the officers, while video from the scene and local officials said the victim was merely trying to drive away from the area.
The second incident occurred on the morning of January 24th, when federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, also in Minneapolis. The New York Times analyzed videos filmed by witnesses at the scene, showing Pretti holding a phone and filming the federal agents confronting two civilians. The agents sprayed him with pepper spray, subdued him, and disarmed him before firing multiple shots while he lay on the ground. The DHS stated that the incident occurred when a person carrying a handgun approached the agents, and one agent fired in self-defense.
Former president speaks out
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal , U.S. President Donald Trump said the administration "is looking at everything and will make a decision" about the shooting. He also mentioned the possibility of withdrawing law enforcement from Minneapolis but did not specify a timeframe. However, in a social media post, Trump accused the previous administration of allowing illegal immigrants into the U.S. while Democratic-run shelter cities refused to cooperate with ICE. "Sadly, two American citizens lost their lives because of this Democratic-led chaos," Trump wrote.
Meanwhile, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced that his party would oppose the bill funding the DHS, the agency that manages ICE. The US Congress must pass the bill before January 31st, otherwise the government will face a partial shutdown, according to Reuters. Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle said the shootings were a wake-up call, reminding them that core American values are increasingly under attack. Former President Bill Clinton was even more critical, saying that peaceful protesters "were arrested, beaten, tear-gassed, and most heartbreakingly, shot dead in the cases of Renee Good and Alex Pretti." "All of this is unacceptable," Clinton declared, urging people to "stand up and speak out."
Several Republican lawmakers also expressed concern about the shootings and called for a deeper investigation into the tactics of federal law enforcement in Minnesota. Senator Lisa Murkowski questioned the level of training for immigration enforcement, while Senator Thom Tillis warned that hasty conclusions or obstruction of the investigation would cause immense damage to the country and President Trump's legacy. The House Homeland Security Committee, currently controlled by Republicans, has requested that ICE officials involved in the operation testify.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper