The NRA just ripped a Trump appointee for claiming a shooting death was ‘legally justified’ leading to a bizarre political alignment no one saw coming

The National Rifle Association, a major supporter of President Trump, is publicly calling out one of the president’s appointees for comments regarding the fatal shooting of a legally armed citizen, as per The Guardian. The NRA has joined a chorus of gun lobbying and advocacy groups demanding a full investigation into the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse who was shot dead by federal immigration officials in Minneapolis.

This highly unusual rift occurred after Bill Essayli, whom President Trump appointed to temporarily serve as a US attorney in California in 2025, posted a wildly controversial statement on social media. Essayli, who now acts as the first assistant US attorney for California’s central federal district court, claimed: “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.”

That sentiment immediately drew fire from the nation’s largest gun rights organization. The NRA responded quickly, posting that Essayli’s comment was “dangerous and wrong.” They argued that responsible public voices should wait for a full investigation, not try to make generalizations or demonize law-abiding citizens.

This is extremely significant because President Trump has consistently bragged about having “the total endorsement of every gun group, including the NRA”

The details surrounding Pretti’s death make the call for transparency even more urgent. Pretti was a US citizen and was legally permitted to carry a gun. Video footage of the incident, which has been widely circulated, does not show him holding a firearm. It actually shows an officer reaching to Pretti’s lower back and stepping away with what appeared to be a pistol right before Pretti was shot.

Furthermore, witnesses have provided sworn testimonies stating that Pretti was not brandishing a gun when federal officers approached him. These statements contradict the administration’s claims that the shots were defensive.

Other gun advocates quickly piled on Essayli. Gun Owners of America, a non-profit lobbying organization, criticized the appointee’s claim, stating plainly that federal agents are not “highly likely” to be “legally justified” in “shooting” concealed carry licensees who approach while lawfully carrying a firearm. The organization added that the US Constitution’s Second Amendment protects Americans’ right to bear arms even while protesting, a right the federal government must not infringe upon.

The political irony of the situation wasn’t lost on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office. They jumped on social media to highlight the bizarre alignment, saying, “Wow. Even the NRA thinks Trump’s [justice department] stooge in California has gone too far for claiming federal agents were ‘legally justified’ to kill Alex Pretti.” Newsom’s office concluded that your position is “truly horrible when even the NRA calls you out.”

Essayli tried to walk back his statement, claiming that his critics were mischaracterizing his words. He argued he meant that “agitators approaching law enforcement with a gun and refusing to disarm” risked being justifiably shot. Even with this clarification, Essayli doubled down on his advice, posting: “If you value your life, do not aggressively approach law enforcement while armed. If they reasonably perceive a threat and you fail to immediately disarm, they are legally permitted to use deadly force.”