The Trump administration’s rushed narrative about the killing of Alex Pretti has collapsed
Analysis by
Josh Campbell
CNN’s Kristen Holmes and Riane Lumer contributed to this report
Let’s face it: Under the weight of mounting video evidence and subsequent statements by senior Trump administration officials, the swift narrative painting
Alex Pretti as a domestic terrorist hellbent on slaughtering federal agents has collapsed.
Senior administration officials now appear to be throwing immigration agents in Minneapolis under the proverbial bus as they blame those on the scene for fueling the administration’s initial half-cocked defense of what transpired.
The killing of Pretti has also resurrected renewed scrutiny of a Department of Homeland Security PR machine that has swiftly rushed to exonerate the actions of agents in incidents involving use of force,
despite questionsraised by bystander videos and independent judges.
[…]
Under federal law enforcement policy, agents can use deadly force against someone posing an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury, but no video has surfaced to date showing Pretti actually reaching toward his holstered firearm.
To the contrary, a federal agent was seen on video disarming Pretti just before agents opened fire. Numerous law enforcement experts have noted the tactics appear sloppy at best, and warrant further investigation. The Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into the matter.
The backtracking by senior Trump administration officials is now notable.
[…]
Federal law enforcement sources told CNN use of force investigations typically take weeks or even months before authorities render a verdict on an agent’s actions. Yet, during the Trump administration, agents have repeatedly been swiftly cleared of any wrongdoing, including the ICE officer
who fatally shot Minneapolis resident Renee Good last month.
Sources are expressing concern about
incidents that are not caught on viral videos.
“If it’s purely the ICE agent’s word against someone else, game over,” one federal law enforcement source said. “Unless it’s beyond egregious and on film, they are basically untouchable.”
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