The protests 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.”
minute read
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama issued a statement Sunday responding after Border Patrol agents fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti during a targeted immigration operation in Minneapolis on Saturday, describing the shooting as a “heartbreaking tragedy” and claiming that American values are “increasingly under assault.”
While acknowledging the challenges faced by federal law enforcement and immigration agents, the Obamas said the public expects those duties to be carried out within the bounds of the law. “Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job,” they wrote. “But 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 added, “That’s not what we’re seeing in Minnesota,” the statement said. “In fact, we’re seeing the opposite.”
“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 statement said.
The Obamas described these actions as “unprecedented tactics,” noting that they have been condemned even by figures within past Republican administrations. The tactics, they wrote, have been characterized “as embarrassing, lawless and cruel.”
According to the statement, those actions have now led to deadly consequences. “These unprecedented tactics… have now resulted in the fatal shootings of two US citizens.” They criticized the response of the current administration, accusing it of failing to hold agents accountable. “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,” the statement said.
The Obamas also challenged official explanations surrounding the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, saying those accounts lack credibility describing the explanations as “not informed by any serious investigation — and that appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence.” The Obamas urged federal officials to “reconsider their approach,” and called for cooperation with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and state and local law enforcement “to avert more chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals.”
They concluded by expressing support for protesters, who are often violent, writing, “In the meantime, every American should support and draw inspiration from the wave of peaceful protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country.” The protests, they added, 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.”
The former First Couple were slammed on social media for the letter. Attorney Mike Davis replied, “You ordered the extrajudicial and targeted killings of American citizens, including minors, via drone strikes. Sit this one out, Barry.”
Author Liz Wheeler wrote in response, “Renee Good violently rammed a federal law enforcement officer with her car, after resisting arrest & impeding law enforcement operations, both crimes. Why did you fail to mention this? Alex Pretti also violently resisted arrest after blocking traffic (also crimes), then appeared to reach for his firearm in the altercation with law enforcement which would give officers reasonable belief that their life was threatened. Why did you fail to mention any of that? Nobody has done more to foment domestic unrest in the United States than Barack Obama and his lies.”
Dr. Sydney Watson commented on the post, “Protecting pedophiles and rapists might be a ‘core value’ for Democrats, but it isn't for the rest of us, mate.”
Pierce County, Washington, Sheriff Keith Swank replied to the Obamas’ social media post, writing, “Hey Deporter in Chief, Your side did nothing to ICE when you were President. The only thing that has changed is who the President is now. You are stoking the fire, and your rhetoric will cause Americans to attack other Americans, and more people will die. You should be held accountable."
While acknowledging the challenges faced by federal law enforcement and immigration agents, the Obamas said the public expects those duties to be carried out within the bounds of the law. “Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job,” they wrote. “But 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 added, “That’s not what we’re seeing in Minnesota,” the statement said. “In fact, we’re seeing the opposite.”
“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 statement said.
The Obamas described these actions as “unprecedented tactics,” noting that they have been condemned even by figures within past Republican administrations. The tactics, they wrote, have been characterized “as embarrassing, lawless and cruel.”
According to the statement, those actions have now led to deadly consequences. “These unprecedented tactics… have now resulted in the fatal shootings of two US citizens.” They criticized the response of the current administration, accusing it of failing to hold agents accountable. “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,” the statement said.
The Obamas also challenged official explanations surrounding the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, saying those accounts lack credibility describing the explanations as “not informed by any serious investigation — and that appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence.” The Obamas urged federal officials to “reconsider their approach,” and called for cooperation with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and state and local law enforcement “to avert more chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals.”
They concluded by expressing support for protesters, who are often violent, writing, “In the meantime, every American should support and draw inspiration from the wave of peaceful protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country.” The protests, they added, 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.”
The former First Couple were slammed on social media for the letter. Attorney Mike Davis replied, “You ordered the extrajudicial and targeted killings of American citizens, including minors, via drone strikes. Sit this one out, Barry.”
Author Liz Wheeler wrote in response, “Renee Good violently rammed a federal law enforcement officer with her car, after resisting arrest & impeding law enforcement operations, both crimes. Why did you fail to mention this? Alex Pretti also violently resisted arrest after blocking traffic (also crimes), then appeared to reach for his firearm in the altercation with law enforcement which would give officers reasonable belief that their life was threatened. Why did you fail to mention any of that? Nobody has done more to foment domestic unrest in the United States than Barack Obama and his lies.”
Dr. Sydney Watson commented on the post, “Protecting pedophiles and rapists might be a ‘core value’ for Democrats, but it isn't for the rest of us, mate.”
Pierce County, Washington, Sheriff Keith Swank replied to the Obamas’ social media post, writing, “Hey Deporter in Chief, Your side did nothing to ICE when you were President. The only thing that has changed is who the President is now. You are stoking the fire, and your rhetoric will cause Americans to attack other Americans, and more people will die. You should be held accountable."
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