White House blame game erupts after Alex Pretti shooting in Minneapolis
By ramontomeydw // 2026-01-31
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  • A fatal shooting by CBP officers during a Minneapolis protest led to turmoil within the Trump administration, with conflicting narratives between Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House advisor Stephen Miller.
  • Initial claims that protester Alex Pretti posed an imminent threat were disputed by video footage showing he had been disarmed before being shot, leading to finger-pointing over misleading reports.
  • Despite his lower-ranking position, Miller drove the administration's hardline response, defending initial claims based on CBP reports. His aggressive stance clashed with internal attempts to correct misinformation.
  • Frustrated by conflicting accounts, President Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to reassess the operation – a rare divergence from Miller's tactics – though officials insisted Miller retained Trump's full confidence.
  • The incident highlights tensions between federal enforcement and political rhetoric, raising concerns about transparency, rushed narratives, and whether blame lies with faulty intelligence or political posturing.
A fatal shooting by immigration agents during a Minneapolis protest has ignited internal turmoil within the Trump administration, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller at the center of conflicting narratives. The incident occurred on Jan. 24 when Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers shot and killed protester Alex Pretti, sparking immediate controversy over whether Pretti posed an imminent threat. Initial reports from CBP suggested Pretti had brandished a firearm, prompting Noem to publicly declare that officers had acted against an individual intent on a "massacre." However, video evidence later contradicted this claim, showing Pretti had been disarmed before being shot. The discrepancy has led to finger-pointing within the administration, with White House officials blaming CBP for supplying inaccurate details while others accuse Miller of pushing an inflammatory narrative. "Everything I've done, I've done at the direction of the president and Stephen," Noem reportedly told an associate, underscoring Miller's outsized influence despite his lower-ranking title. The senior White House advisor, in turn, defended the initial characterization, stating his comments were based on preliminary CBP reports. "Any early comments made were based on information sent to the White House through CBP," Miller told Axios. The fallout escalated when Vice President J.D. Vance and Noem echoed Miller's description of Pretti as an "assassin," further entrenching the administration's stance before contradictory footage emerged. Some White House officials attempted to retract or clarify the statement, but it had already been disseminated. "Others within the White House attempted to clean up the [Department of Homeland Security] statement prior to it being sent, but it had already been disseminated," a source familiar with the episode said.

Trump's inner circle feuds over Minnesota operation

President Donald Trump, reportedly agitated by the conflicting accounts, intervened by dispatching border czar Tom Homan to reassess the Minnesota operation. The move signaled a rare divergence from Miller's hardline tactics, though administration officials insist Miller retains Trump's full confidence. "Stephen Miller is one of President Trump's most trusted and longest-serving aides," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios. "The president loves Stephen." Noem, meanwhile, has privately expressed frustration over feeling scapegoated for the botched messaging. She met with Trump for two hours on Monday, Jan. 26, to reaffirm her loyalty – though Miller and Homan were notably absent. "She's a loyal person and she wanted her voice heard," a source said. Despite the controversy, Noem's position appears secure, with officials emphasizing she acted as directed. The incident underscores the volatile intersection of immigration enforcement and political rhetoric, recalling past clashes between federal agents and protesters. It also highlights the enduring sway of Miller, whose aggressive immigration policies have long shaped Trump's agenda – even when they risk public backlash. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, Miller was one of Trump's most influential advisors, driving hardline "America First" policies on immigration and nationalism with unwavering ideological conviction. Miller's uncompromising stance and deep loyalty to Trump's agenda made him both a key architect of the administration's policies and one of its most polarizing figures. As investigations continue, the administration's handling of the shooting raises questions about accountability, transparency and the consequences of rushed narratives in an era where viral footage can swiftly dismantle official claims. For now, the blame game persists, leaving unanswered whether the fault lies with faulty intelligence, political posturing or a breakdown in protocol. Watch Jesse Watters reporting how federal agents smashed the windows of a vehicle in Minneapolis and extracted anti-law enforcement militants out of it. This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Axios.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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