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As outrage grows in the United States over the deaths of two citizens during immigration operations in Minneapolis, the Deputy Attorney General of the Donald Trump administration, Todd Blanche, defended federal agents, asserting that they are "acting with humanity," despite the images and testimonies that have shaken public opinion.
In an interview granted to the program Meet the Press of NBC News, Blanche supported the actions of federal forces amidst a climate of protests, criticisms, and questions regarding the use of force during immigration-related operations.
His statements come after the murder of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, and the prior case of Renee Nicole Good, both American citizens who died in separate incidents involving federal agents, according to NBC News.
Under pressure from host Kristen Welker regarding recent incidents, including the use of pepper spray against protesters, the detention of a five-year-old child by ICE, and the eviction of a nearly naked U.S. citizen in the midst of extreme cold, Blanche insisted that the agents "are indeed acting with humanity" and described their work as "very, very difficult," especially without the support of local authorities.
"The problem is that two or three cases are highlighted as excesses, but there are thousands of arrests carried out correctly," the official stated, while calling for understanding towards the agents who, he said, face high-risk situations every day.
However, the official account clashes with videos released after Pretti's death. Footage captured by witnesses appears to show that the nurse attempted to assist another person who had been pushed to the ground by federal agents, before being sprayed, knocked down, and surrounded by several officers, just seconds before being shot fatally.
Local authorities confirmed that Pretti had legal permission to carry a weapon, although Blanche admitted that it is still unclear whether she was unarmed at the time of the shooting and stated that the case is still under investigation.
The atmosphere in Minneapolis remains tense. Mayor Jacob Frey noted that the city has around 600 police officers, compared to about 3,000 federal immigration agents deployed in the area. The federal government has emphasized that the lack of local cooperation complicates ICE operations.
In a post-press conference, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino confirmed that the agents involved in the shooting of Pretti remain on duty, although they have been reassigned for security reasons, according to NBC News.
Bovino avoided providing key details of the case and blamed protesters and "agitators" for hindering the arrest of an Ecuadorian citizen wanted on charges of domestic violence, which was the main objective of the operation.
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