Barack Obama Breaks Silence with Fierce Critique of Trump After Alex Pretti Tragedy in Minneapolis

Apart from the former president's statement, the victim's family has also spoken out about the tragedy, condemning the incident and divulging the philanthropic person Alex Pretti was.

In a rare and sharply-worded public statement, former U.S. President Barack Obama has condemned the killing of Alex Pretti — a U.S. citizen shot by a federal agent agent in Minneapolis — and laid the blame squarely on the Trump administration's handling of federal law enforcement.

Obama Lashes Out at Federal Agents over 'Heartbreaking Tragedy'

Calling the incident "a heartbreaking tragedy," Obama warned that it should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, highlighting that core national values are increasingly "under assault." The remarks, made on January 25, 2026, marked one of Obama's most overt criticisms of a sitting president since leaving office.

"Administration officials seem eager to escalate the situation," Obama said, referencing the chaos that erupted in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of both Pretti and Renee Good. He accused federal agents of deploying "unprecedented tactics" meant to intimidate and harass citizens — tactics he said have now led to avoidable deaths.

For weeks, growing outrage has surged nationwide following footage of masked ICE recruits and other agents operating aggressively in U.S. neighborhoods.

Obama echoed that sentiment, denouncing the federal agents' conduct as "embarrassing, lawless and cruel," even quoting a former Department of Homeland Security top lawyer who had used those exact words to criticize such practices.

He went further, accusing the current administration of issuing "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."

Mounting Fury and Plea for Peace

In a plea for de-escalation, Obama urged officials to work constructively with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and local law enforcement to avoid further violence and restore accountability.

"This has to stop," he asserted, warning that without action, more American lives could be put at risk.

The former president concluded his statement by expressing support for peaceful protests across the country, dubbing them a "timely reminder" of the public's power to challenge injustice and demand transparency and accountability from their government. More details on the story will follow shortly.