6 things to know about the ongoing unrest in Minneapolis: 'A wake-up call'
4. Clinton, Obamas weigh in: 'A wake-up call to every American'
Former Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton issued statements over the weekend denouncing the Pretti shooting and calling for de-escalation.
In a statement Obama released Sunday along with his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, the two described the shooting of Pretti as "a heartbreaking tragedy."
"It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault," wrote the Obamas, who went on to describe DHS' tactics as "unprecedented."
"For weeks now, people across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE recruits and other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city."
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault. pic.twitter.com/0JmEsJ1QFW
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 25, 2026
The Obamas claimed that "rather than trying to impose some semblance of discipline and accountability over the agents they've deployed, the President and current administration officials seem eager to escalate the situation, while offering public explanations for the shootings of Mr. Pretti and Renee Good that aren't informed by any serious investigation — and that appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence."
They added that such enforcement action "has to stop," and called on the Trump administration to work with state and local authorities "to avert more chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals."
There were approximately 5.3 million deportations under the Obama administration, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.
Clinton, under whose administration there were approximately 12.3 million deportations, said in a statement on Sunday that the situation in Minneapolis is "horrible."
"Over the course of a lifetime, we face only a few moments where the decisions we make and the actions we take will shape our history for years to come. This is one of them," he wrote.
Over the course of a lifetime, we face only a few moments where the decisions we make and the actions we take will shape our history for years to come. This is one of them. pic.twitter.com/fr4TclLBZd
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) January 25, 2026
Clinton accused "the people in charge" of lying and telling the public "not to believe what we've seen with our own eyes," while pushing "increasingly aggressive and antagonistic tactics, including impeding investigations by local authorities."
"It is up to all of us who believe in the promise of American democracy to stand up, speak out, and show that our nation still belongs to We the People," he said.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson pushed back against both statements, according to NBC News.
"Obama should join President Trump in urging local Democrat leaders — like Walz and Frey — to work with the Trump Administration to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities," Jackson told the outlet. "Instead, they are attacking law enforcement and defending criminal illegal aliens with additional convictions for murder, rape, assault, and more."
Regarding Clinton, Jackson said the former president "should use his platform to urge Democrat leaders in Minnesota to cooperate with the federal government to remove criminal illegal rapists, murderers, and pedophiles instead of providing them sanctuary."
Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. Send news tips to jon.brown@christianpost.com
