Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has labeled the actions of a suspect killed in a Border Patrol-involved shooting in Minneapolis as “domestic terrorism.”
In an explosive statement, Noem directly accused Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of fueling hostility and violence against federal law enforcement.
Speaking at a press conference at FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C., Noem said the facts surrounding the incident meet the legal and moral definition of domestic terrorism.
“When you perpetuate violence against a government because of ideological reasons and for reasons to resist and perpetuate violence, that is the definition of domestic terrorism,” Noem said.
“This individual who came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation of federal law enforcement officers committed an act of domestic terrorism. That’s the facts.”
Armed Confrontation During ICE Operation
Noem said the shooting occurred while DHS officers were conducting targeted immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis aimed at arresting an illegal alien with a criminal history that included domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license.
According to Noem, a 37-year-old man later identified as Alex Pretti approached U.S. Border Patrol agents armed with a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun.
“An individual approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun,” Noem said.
“The officers attempted to disarm this individual, but the armed suspect reacted violently.”
“Fearing for his life and for the lives of his fellow officers around him, an agent fired defensive shots,” she added.
Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but Pretti was pronounced dead at the scene.
Noem said Pretti had two ammunition magazines holding dozens of rounds and no identification on him at the time.
“This looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement,” she said.
Riots, Assaults on Officers Followed
The shooting was followed by immediate unrest, with hundreds of protesters descending on the area.
“Hundreds of protesters then showed up at the scene,” Noem said.
“They began to obstruct and to assault law enforcement officers.
“We saw objects being thrown at them, including ice and other objects, and a rampant assault began.”
During the chaos, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent had a finger bitten off by a rioter.
Crowd-control measures were deployed to restore order and protect officers and the public.
Noem Blames Walz, Frey for Incitement
Noem said the violence was preventable and squarely blamed Minnesota’s Democrat leadership for escalating tensions and encouraging hostility toward federal officers.
“The Minnesota governor and the Minneapolis mayor need to take a long, hard look in the mirror,” she said.
“They need to evaluate their rhetoric, their conversations, and their encouragement of such violence against our citizens and our law enforcement officers.”
She accused Gov. Walz of deliberately undermining federal law enforcement, saying he falsely claimed DHS officers were not legitimate law enforcement and compared them to the Gestapo.
“That is a lie,” Noem said.
“He’s called them the Gestapo.”
She further alleged that state leaders encouraged residents and rioters to resist federal officers and accused them of doxing agents, placing officers and their families at risk.
Trump Prepared to Use Insurrection Act
Asked whether President Donald Trump was moving closer to invoking the Insurrection Act, Noem said the option remains on the table.
“The president will use every tool that he needs to follow through on his promises to the American people,” she said.
She emphasized that DHS will continue immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis and nationwide, regardless of resistance from local or state officials.
“We’re going to treat Minneapolis exactly the way that we have treated every other city across this country,” Noem said, referencing ongoing efforts such as Operation Metro Surge.
Noem said the shooting is under formal investigation, consistent with standard procedures for officer-involved shootings, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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