JD Vance Refuses to Apologize to Family of Alex Pretti as Advocates Condemn White House Claims Labeling Her an 'Assassin

JD Vance has refused to apologize to the family of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis nurse shot dead by immigration agents, after he amplified White House claims that Pretti was an 'assassin.' The vice president made his stance clear during a wide-ranging exclusive interview with the Daily Mail on Tuesday, where he dismissed any suggestion that he had acted improperly by endorsing statements from White House officials. Vance's comments have drawn sharp criticism, with advocates for Pretti's family arguing that the vice president's refusal to acknowledge fault has deepened the pain of a tragedy already marked by controversy and confusion.

The incident in question occurred on January 24, when Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Gutierrez, both assigned to Minneapolis as part of Trump's immigration crackdown, shot Pretti ten times in under five seconds. Pretti, who had a concealed carry permit, was unarmed at the time and had been disarmed by officers before the fatal shooting. Footage later emerged showing Pretti taunting ICE agents just days before his death, but the vice president has insisted that the nurse's actions at the protest were indicative of 'ill intent.'

Vance's refusal to apologize came after he reposted allegations on X from White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who had labeled Pretti an 'assassin' who 'tried to murder federal agents.' When asked directly by the Daily Mail if he would retract his support for Miller's statement, Vance responded with a dismissive 'For what?' He argued that the focus should be on the investigation into the officers' conduct, stating, 'If something is determined that the guy who shot Alex Pretti did something bad, then a lot of consequences are going to flow from that. We'll let that happen.'

The controversy has taken a new turn as Miller has since admitted his comments were made hastily before the full facts were known. The Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether Pretti's civil rights were violated, a move that has raised questions about the White House's handling of the case. Vance, however, has refused to comment on whether the officers involved should face criminal charges if the FBI concludes they acted unlawfully. Instead, he has emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine whether the officers had a 'reasonable fear of Alex Pretti' to justify their use of lethal force.

'I'm not going to prejudge these guys,' Vance told the Daily Mail. 'I think that everybody is deserved the presumption of innocence in the American system of justice. That's how it's going to work.' He reiterated that any conclusions about the officers' conduct must come from the investigation, not from speculation or political rhetoric. 'Let's do the investigation. Let's figure out, did these officers have a reasonable fear of Alex Pretti given what happened? Did they engage in lawful conduct or unlawful conduct? Let's let the investigation determine those things.'

The Trump administration has faced mounting pressure as public opinion shifts against its immigration policies. Daily Mail polling conducted by JL Partners last week revealed that a majority of Americans now oppose ICE and Customs and Border Protection raids in U.S. cities, with many calling for an end to their presence. Despite this, Vance has insisted that the administration remains committed to its mass deportation agenda, dismissing concerns that the White House might be retreating from its hardline stance.

Vance's comments came amid heightened tensions within Trump's base, which had expressed fears that the president might be backing away from his election promises following the deaths of Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota. To address these concerns, Trump has deployed Border Czar Tom Homan to the Twin Cities to take over from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Homan's pledge to 'draw down' the number of officers amid negotiations with Democratic Governor Tim Walz has been interpreted by some as a sign of compromise, but Vance has firmly denied it. 'We're not surrendering,' he told the Daily Mail. 'We're not moving back on anything. We're just trying to actually encourage cooperation so that we get a little bit less chaos.'

The vice president's remarks highlight the precarious balancing act the Trump administration is attempting to perform as it navigates the midterm elections and the fallout from Pretti's death. While Vance has defended the administration's approach to immigration, critics argue that the refusal to apologize or acknowledge potential misconduct by agents has only exacerbated public distrust. With the Justice Department's investigation ongoing and the political landscape shifting, the administration's next steps will be closely watched by both supporters and opponents of its policies.