WASHINGTON (AP) — The men tasked with carrying out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda were made to watch a video of the shooting death of Alex Pretti in a slow, moment-by-moment analysis on Thursday by Sen. Rand Paul, who repeatedly cast doubt on the tactics used by federal officers and warned that the American public had lost trust in the country’s immigration agencies.
It was a tense confrontation at a Senate hearing aimed at scrutinizing the immigration chiefs as they carry out one of Trump’s signature policies and following the deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis at the hands of federal officers. Paul paused the video to interpret the events, arguing that Pretti posed no threat and questioned why the situation resulted in the ICU nurse’s death.
“He is retreating at every moment,” Paul stated, commenting on Pretti’s behavior while officers used pepper spray on him. “He’s trying to get away and he’s being sprayed in the face.”
The hearing included testimony from the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons; Rodney Scott, who heads Customs and Border Protection; and Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This was the same group of officials who appeared before a House committee earlier in the week.
Paul’s comments sharply rebuked the conduct of the CBP officers who ultimately shot and killed Pretti on January 24 in Minneapolis. He stated, “It’s clearly evident that the public trust has been lost. To restore trust in ICE and Border Patrol they must admit their mistakes, be honest, and pledge to reform.”
However, Paul was the only Republican questioning the immigration officers’ conduct, while others avoided criticism. Democrats voiced their condemnation of the shooting and the manner in which officers are deploying force as part of their duties.
Scott contended that Pretti was not complying, stating, “What I’m seeing is a subject that’s also not complying. He’s not following any guidance. He’s fighting back nonstop,” contrary to Paul’s assessment.
Lyons defended his officers, arguing that they are held accountable and cited the 37 investigations opened for excessive force in the year since Trump took office. He indicated that out of those, 18 were closed, 19 are pending, and one was referred for further action.
The incident has sparked outrage and prompted changes to operations following the shooting deaths of Pretti and another American citizen, Renee Good, who were protesting immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, announced that he would wind down the operation, which once involved 3,000 ICE and CBP officers.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal pressed Lyons to justify a memo allowing officers to use administrative warrants, documents signed by an ICE officer that do not undergo independent judicial review, to enter homes forcibly. Blumenthal described these warrants as akin to permission slips that do not suffice for constitutional protections.
Despite the tight scrutiny, some Republicans focused their questioning on local officials’ responses rather than on the actions of the federal officers. Sen. Ron Johnson highlighted the violence and threats faced by ICE and CBP officers, expressing sympathy for those enforcing the law.
