Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama said the shooting of Alex Pretti should mark a turning point in the national debate over President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
“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,” the Obamas said, adding that while federal immigration agents have difficult jobs, “Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way, and to work with, rather than against, state and local officials to ensure public safety.”
The Obamas argued that the administration’s enforcement teams have crossed a line by using “tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city” — tactics they say contributed to the deaths of Mr. Pretti and Renee Good earlier in the month.
They also criticized the administration’s response, saying, “And yet 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.
“This has to stop,” they said.
The Obamas urged federal officials to shift course and work constructively with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Mr. Trump and Homeland Security officials have accused the two Democrats of fostering a hostile environment with their criticism of ICE.
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The Obamas closed by encouraging Americans to stay engaged, saying, “In the meantime, every American should support and draw inspiration from the wave of peaceful protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country… They are a timely reminder that ultimately it’s up to each of us as citizens to speak out against injustice, protect our basic freedoms, and hold our government accountable.”
