White House: Trump does not want people killed on the streets, but will not back down from deporting illegal immigrants

(Patria) - The White House said yesterday that President Donald Trump does not want to see people injured or killed on the streets of the US, but that he will not back down from efforts to deport "violent criminal illegal immigrants" from Minnesota.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt commented on the killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Saturday, which sparked outrage among Americans. It was the second fatal shooting of a US citizen in Minnesota this month.

- Let's be clear about the circumstances that led to this. This tragedy occurred as a result of deliberate and hostile resistance by Democratic leaders in Minnesota - Leavitt said.

Video footage from the scene contradicts the Trump administration's report that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers fired in self-defense after Pretti approached them with a gun.

The footage shows Pretti holding a phone, not a gun, as agents tackle him to the ground. ICE officers are seen drawing firearms near his waist moments before they shot him. Pretti had a permit to carry a weapon.

ICE agents shot and killed another person in Minneapolis this morning.

Get ICE out of Minnesota NOW.https://t.co/FLnqgULUWL

— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) January 24, 2026

Leavitt said that Trump "will never back down from his promise to deport violent criminals and illegal immigrants and make America safe again".

Democratic leaders have fiercely opposed the influx of immigration officers in Minnesota, characterizing it as an unlawful invasion that threatens public safety.

Mass protests were held even in sub-zero temperatures.

Leavitt called on Minnesota political leaders to hand over illegal immigrants in prisons to federal authorities, along with all illegal immigrants with active arrest warrants or known criminal histories for immediate deportation.

She added that Trump wants Congress to immediately pass a law abolishing policies that some cities have in providing sanctuary to undocumented migrants.