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By Steve Mollman
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Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, defended gun rights on Sunday writing on social media that "it’s a Constitutionally protected God-given right" to carry a firearm in response to a warning by Bill Essayli, a Trump-appointed federal prosector, against people “approaching law enforcement with a gun.”
Their exchange on X followed the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday.
Newsweek reached out to Essayli on Sunday morning outside of normal business hours for comment.
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Why It Matters
Pretti, 37, was fatally shot in Minneapolis by federal agents less than three weeks after Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was also fatally shot by an immigration agent in the city. In both instances, conflicting narratives have come from federal and state officials, and video footage taken by bystanders during those times has sparked questions and criticism.
Federal officials have cited the fact that Pretti had a gun when asked about why he was shot. Critics have countered that he did not pull the gun on agents, pointing to video evidence from bystanders near the scene.
Following Saturday's shooting, the odds of a government shutdown spiked, as key Democratic lawmakers said they would block a funding package for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Senate. In the House, which passed the package 220-207 last week, Massie was the only Republican to vote "no" on the funding.
What to Know
Pretti, a registered ICU nurse, had been recording the actions of federal agents with his phone during protests. Agents wrestled him to the ground after he tried to assist a woman they had pushed down. Videos appear to show an agent removing a gun Pretti was legally carrying, after which a Border Patrol agent shot him several times.
Essayli, who was sworn in as United States Attorney for the Central District of California in April—following his appointment by Attorney General Pam Bondi—wrote on X on Saturday, “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Don’t do it!”
Massie, an outlier in his party and a critic of President Donald Trump and the administration on several key topics, then responded on Sunday morning and wrote: “Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence, it’s a Constitutionally protected God-given right, and if you don’t understand this you have no business in law enforcement or government.”
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara at a press conference Saturday, Pretti was a lawful gun owner and permitted carrier.
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What People Are Saying
The National Rifle Association (NRA) wrote on X on Saturday: "This sentiment from the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California is dangerous and wrong. Responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens."
The parents of Alex Pretti said in a statement: "Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed."
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, posted on X on Saturday: “The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth."
What Happens Next
The investigation into Pretti's death continues.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, posted on X on Saturday evening that "Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no. Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.”
A partial government shutdown will go into effect on January 31 if spending bills are not approved by the Senate.
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