US Justice Department Launches Federal Civil Rights Investigation Into Killing of Alex Pretti
WASHINGTON D.C. — In a significant pivot that has sent shockwaves through both the political and legal landscapes, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially announced the opening of a federal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. The 37-year-old Minneapolis intensive care nurse was killed by Border Patrol agents last Saturday during a protest against federal immigration enforcement operations, an event that has since become a flashpoint for national outrage.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the move during a press conference on Friday morning, marking a stark reversal from the administration’s initial stance. The federal civil rights investigation will be led by the FBI, shifting the primary oversight away from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which had previously been spearheading a more limited “use of force” review.
A Shift in Federal Oversight
The decision to initiate a federal civil rights investigation comes after nearly a week of mounting pressure from civil rights advocates, Minnesota state officials, and a growing chorus of lawmakers. For days, the White House and senior DHS officials had downplayed the need for independent oversight, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem initially characterizing Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” who had “brandished a weapon.”
However, the narrative began to crumble as multiple bystander videos emerged, showing a different sequence of events. In the footage, Pretti is seen holding a mobile phone—not a weapon—as he attempted to assist a woman who had been knocked down by federal agents. The videos show agents tackling Pretti to the ground and securing a handgun from the back of his waistband—a weapon he was legally permitted to carry—before two officers opened fire, striking him multiple times in the back.
“We are looking at everything that would shed light on that day,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated. “The federal civil rights investigation will involve the experts of the Civil Rights Division to ensure that the facts are pursued wherever they may lead.”
The Incident: What the Evidence Shows
The killing of Alex Pretti occurred amidst “Operation Metro Surge,” an aggressive federal crackdown on immigration in the Twin Cities. Pretti, a respected nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, was participating in a protest near downtown Minneapolis when the fatal encounter took place.
The discrepancy between official statements and video evidence has been the driving force behind the call for a federal civil rights investigation. While initial reports from CBP suggested Pretti was a “would-be assassin,” the following details have surfaced through independent analysis and witness testimony:
Mobile Phone vs. Weapon: Bystander video clearly shows Pretti filming the officers with his phone seconds before being tackled.
The Struggle: At least six officers are seen pinning Pretti face-down on the pavement.
The Shooting: While Pretti was immobilized, agents fired approximately ten shots.
The Firearm: Although Pretti was armed, the gun remained in his waistband until an officer removed it; video does not show him reaching for it at any point.
The federal civil rights investigation will specifically examine whether the officers used excessive force or violated Pretti’s constitutional rights during the arrest and subsequent shooting.
Comparison of Federal Investigations in Minneapolis
The Pretti case is not the only high-profile shooting involving federal agents in Minnesota this month. The DOJ’s decision to launch a federal civil rights investigation into Pretti’s death has highlighted a perceived inconsistency in how the department handles such cases, particularly regarding the death of Renee Nicole Good.
| Subject | Date of Incident | Agency Involved | Federal Civil Rights Investigation? |
| Renee Nicole Good | Jan 7, 2026 | ICE | No |
| Alex Pretti | Jan 24, 2026 | Border Patrol | Yes |
The refusal to open a federal civil rights investigation into the killing of Renee Good—a mother of three shot while driving past an ICE action—led to the resignation of several career prosecutors within the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. Critics argue that the department is only now acting in the Pretti case due to the overwhelming volume of video evidence and the threat of a complete collapse of public trust.
State vs. Federal Friction
The launch of the federal civil rights investigation occurs against a backdrop of unprecedented tension between Minnesota state authorities and the federal government. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Governor Tim Walz have accused federal agencies of “stonewalling” state investigators and refusing to share critical evidence, including body-camera footage.
A federal judge recently issued an emergency order prohibiting the federal government from destroying or altering any evidence related to the Pretti shooting. This came after state lawyers expressed concerns that the chain of custody for Pretti’s firearm had already been compromised.
“Minnesota deserves the truth, and our investigators deserve access to the scene and the evidence,” Governor Walz said in a statement following the announcement of the federal civil rights investigation. “While the FBI’s involvement is a step toward accountability, we remain concerned about the transparency of a process that is still entirely internal to the federal government.”
The Political Fallout
President Donald Trump has continued to defend the actions of the federal officers. In a post on social media early Friday, the President referred to Pretti as an “agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist,” pointing to “unearthed” video from an incident eleven days prior to his death. In that footage, Pretti is seen kicking the taillight of a federal vehicle and scuffling with agents.
Legal experts, however, noted that an earlier misdemeanor or act of vandalism does not legally justify a fatal shooting over a week later. The federal civil rights investigation is expected to look at the totality of the circumstances, but the focus remains on the specific moments of the Jan 24 shooting.
Steve Schleicher, the attorney representing the Pretti family—and a former prosecutor who worked on the George Floyd case—expressed cautious optimism about the federal civil rights investigation.
“The family’s focus is on a fair and impartial investigation that examines the facts around his murder,” Schleicher said. “We have seen too many instances where the initial ‘official’ story is used to smear a victim to justify an unjustifiable act of violence.”
Don Lemon Fights Federal Charges
Conclusion and Next Steps
The federal civil rights investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti represents a pivotal moment for the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi. With the FBI now taking the lead, the focus will shift to interviewing the two Border Patrol agents who fired the fatal shots and reviewing hundreds of hours of surveillance and bystander footage.
As the community in Minneapolis continues to hold vigils and protests, the results of this federal civil rights investigation will likely determine the future of federal-local cooperation and the level of accountability expected for federal law enforcement agents operating within state borders.
The Department of Justice has not yet provided a timeline for the completion of the federal civil rights investigation, but officials have promised that the Civil Rights Division will remain deeply involved in the process.
Oversight Deadlines and Congressional Demands
On January 27, 2026, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and other senior members of the House Judiciary Committee sent a formal letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi. The letter demands that the DOJ produce a comprehensive set of documents and internal communications.
The following table outlines the critical deadlines and requested items currently facing the Department of Justice:
| Deadline | Requirement | Purpose |
| February 2, 2026 | Production of internal DOJ/FBI communications | To determine who initially ordered the freeze on a federal civil rights investigation. |
| February 2, 2026 | Evidence chain-of-custody logs | To ensure Pretti’s mobile phone and firearm have not been tampered with by federal agents. |
| February 9, 2026 | Detailed briefing for Judiciary Subcommittee | To provide a status update on the newly opened federal civil rights investigation. |
Mounting Pressure for Evidence Disclosure
The push for a federal civil rights investigation was bolstered by the fact that federal authorities reportedly blocked Minnesota state investigators from accessing the crime scene for several hours. This lack of cooperation has led to fears of a “federal cover-up.”
One of the most critical pieces of evidence remains Alex Pretti’s mobile phone. While the DOJ has confirmed the start of the federal civil rights investigation, officials have yet to clarify whether the phone’s data—which likely contains the closest video of the agents—is being processed by the FBI or remains in the hands of the Border Patrol unit involved in the shooting.
“The clock is ticking for the Department of Justice,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal. “Opening a federal civil rights investigation is the bare minimum. True accountability requires that the DOJ stop obstructing state authorities and provide the records we have requested by the Monday deadline.”
Public and Civic Reaction
The local community in Minneapolis remains on edge. Vigil sites have grown into massive protest camps, with citizens calling for the arrest of the agents involved. The announcement of the federal civil rights investigation has provided a small sense of relief to the Pretti family, yet their legal team emphasizes that an investigation is not an indictment.
“We have seen investigations opened before only to have them quietly closed months later when the cameras move on,” attorney Steve Schleicher noted. “Our focus is ensuring this federal civil rights investigation is transparent and that the agents are held to the same standard as any other citizen who pulls a trigger.”
Next Steps for the DOJ
The Department of Justice is expected to assign a special team of prosecutors from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section to work alongside FBI field agents in Minneapolis. This team will:
Re-interview all witnesses present at the January 24 protest.
Conduct a forensic reconstruction of the shooting to determine the exact trajectory of the ten shots fired.
Review the “Metro Surge” operational orders to see if agents were given instructions that bypassed standard de-escalation protocols.
The opening of this federal civil rights investigation marks a defining moment for the current administration’s “law and order” policies, testing whether those policies apply to the federal agents themselves.
