White House Retracts Early Terror Claims After Alex Pretti Shooting
White House distances itself after DHS and aides labeled Alex Jeffrey Pretti a 'domestic terrorist' following his Jan. 24, 2026, death.
Overview
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a Jan. 26, 2026, news conference that President Donald Trump did not characterize Alex Jeffrey Pretti as a 'domestic terrorist' after the Jan. 24 shooting.
A Department of Homeland Security X post on Jan. 24, 2026, said Pretti 'wanted to do maximum damage,' but Jan. 13 and bystander videos reviewed by BBC News indicate he was disarmed and holding a cellphone, family attorney Steve Schleicher said.
Homeland Security Investigations is reviewing the Jan. 13 incident, and DHS placed two agents involved in the Jan. 24 shooting on administrative leave, DHS officials confirmed.
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, worked as an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and held a state concealed-carry permit, state officials said.
DHS and the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility are conducting reviews and potential criminal and administrative probes remain pending, and Congress has been notified, officials confirmed.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources portray the administration as rushing to criminalize and then retreating — editorially emphasizing initial DHS/X claims and hardline statements from Noem and Miller (source content), then juxtaposing videos showing Pretti unarmed and later White House distancing to suggest a narrative unraveling and political liability.