Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) recently called out Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for what she perceives as a double standard in her response to the killing of Alex Pretti by a federal agent during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis. This incident marked the second death in the city this month.
In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, which has garnered nearly 3 million views on one X post alone, Ocasio-Cortez criticized Noem’s stance against attending protests with firearms, highlighting what she sees as a contradiction compared to the previous support for armed protesters on the political right by the Trump administration and conservatives.
Pretti, a legal gun owner with a concealed carry permit, was within his rights to carry his firearm in public, including at protests under Minnesota law. Contrary to the government’s claims, videos and witness statements suggest that he was not inciting violence as alleged.
Ocasio-Cortez pointed out, “It is ironic that Noem implies that possessing a legally owned weapon at a protest should result in a person’s death at the hands of the state, especially coming from the same party and administration that praises individuals like Kyle Rittenhouse.”
She further criticized Noem’s position on inciting violence based on ideology, highlighting the administration’s pardoning of numerous Jan. 6th rioters who have subsequently engaged in further violent acts. Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the political nature of the message being sent by Noem.
Ocasio-Cortez warned against the dangerous escalation and leadership failure demonstrated by the current administration, urging unity to resist the divisive and chaotic path they seem to be promoting.
She concluded, “We must stand together against this kind of dangerous fragmentation that is being incited to divide us as a nation.”
