50+ Organizations Condemn Federal Authorities for Blocking Minnesota's Independent ...

Over one month after the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minnesota, over 50 organizations condemned the federal government for blocking the state's independent investigation. They criticized the Trump administration's withdrawal from a joint inquiry, which they argue impedes accountability and fosters impunity for federal law enforcement. The organizations called for mandatory independent investigations, federal cooperation with local authorities, and accountability for constitutional violations.

Rule of Law

50+ Organizations Condemn Federal Authorities for Blocking Minnesota’s Independent Investigation into CBP Killing of Alex Pretti

WASHINGTON, DC — Today marks one month since the killing of Alex Pretti on January 24th,

New reporting recently revealed that the Trump administration backed out of a joint

investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, by a Border Patrol

agent. The reversal came despite Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s previous public

commitments to transparency and cooperation with Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal

Apprehension.

Minnesota leaders are sounding the alarm: Governor Walz said the state is “asking for what’s

always been done,” while Attorney General Keith Ellison testified that federal authorities have

provided “no cooperation” and are “stonewalling” the investigation.

In response, 52 organizations released the following statement:

By blocking Minnesota’s investigation and attempting to shield agents from accountability, the Trump administration is sending a clear message: federal law enforcement can kill with absolute impunity. This move attempts to place federal agents above the law and beyond the reach of justice.

Alex Pretti’s family deserves answers. Getting to that truth requires federal and local law enforcement to work together – cooperation that has been standard practice for decades and remains essential to any credible investigation. The rule of law demands accountability when constitutional rights are violated.

We demand immediate action: mandatory independent investigations for all federal use of deadly force, recognition of state authority to investigate federal misconduct, federal cooperation with local investigators, and real consequences for constitutional violations. Without accountability, we allow federal forces to operate with impunity and face no consequences for taking American lives.

Signing Organizations:

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

American Constitution Society

American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

American Oversight

Center for Digital Democracy

Clean Elections Texas

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

Coalition on Human Needs

Common Cause

Community Change Action

Constitutional Accountability Center

Democracy 21

Democracy Defenders Action

Endangered Species Coalition

Fair and Just Prosecution

Florida for All

Friends of the Earth Action

Greenpeace USA

Human Rights First

Indivisible

Just Solutions

League of Women Voters in Minnesota

League of Women Voters of the United States

Michiganaders for Fair and Transparent Elections

MoveOn

MPower Change Action Fund

National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC)

National Education Association

National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)

National Organization for Women

National Voter Corps

National Women’s Law Center

NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice

People’s Action Institute

People For the American Way

People Power United

Presente.org

Project on Government Oversight

Protect Democracy

Protect Minnesota

Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK)

Public Citizen

Reproductive Freedom for All

Revolving Door Project

Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Stand Up America

Take Back the Court Action Fund

The Sikh Coalition

The Workers Circle

United Church of Christ

Win Without War

Women Thinking Out Loud

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