Senator Ted Cruz is publicly urging the Trump administration to adopt a far more measured and careful tone when discussing the recent fatal shootings involving federal officers in Minnesota, as reported by The Hill. The Texas senator, who usually praises President Trump’s work to secure the border and lower crime, noted that the administration is actively undermining its own credibility by jumping to conclusions.
Cruz is worried that officials are escalating their rhetoric way too quickly, often before a full investigation has even taken place. He pointed out that when something tragic like this happens, the immediate reaction from the administration seems to be to “come out guns blazing, that we took out a violent terrorist, hurray.”
That kind of immediate reaction is exactly what causes problems, Cruz believes, especially when the facts don’t match the claims. He explained that if the public is being told the victim is a violent terrorist, but the victim is actually a “mom of three, and there’s no indication [that she’s a violent criminal],” the situation becomes untenable. “You know, she’s not waving an ISIS flag or doesn’t have a suicide vest around her — escalating the rhetoric doesn’t help. And it actually loses credibility,” he continued.
Cruz’s overall message is simple: we need to find common ground
This issue of premature rhetoric hit a critical point after the deaths of 37-year-old Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by federal officers during anti-immigration demonstrations. Cruz stressed that both fatal shootings are “a tragedy.” “Anytime you have an American who is killed in a confrontation with law enforcement, it is tragic that a life is lost,” he said. He emphasized that both victims, “from all appearances, are not violent criminals.”
The specific details surrounding the death of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the city’s VA hospital, highlight the senator’s concerns about the administration’s tone. Pretti was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent. Following that incident, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were immediately vocal, quickly accusing Pretti of intending to “massacre law enforcement” and “murder federal agents.”
That is a serious accusation, but bystander video footage circulating on social media appears to contradict the official narrative. Pretti was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, but video didn’t show him holding it during the interaction. Instead, an agent appeared to take a concealed weapon from Pretti’s waistband moments before another agent shot him in the back. That’s a huge discrepancy, and it’s exactly why Cruz’s point about lost credibility is so important.
Cruz, echoing concerns from other Republicans, said he would wait for a full investigation before drawing any firm conclusions about the agent’s actions. However, he stressed the deep tragedy of the situation and called on the administration to acknowledge it and adjust its response.
“I would encourage the administration to be more measured, to recognize the tragedy,” he added. He also called out other politicians who are making things worse, saying those “who are pouring gasoline onto this fire, they need to stop.”
Published: Jan 27, 2026 01:30 pm