WASHINGTON, United States — Former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have condemned federal immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota following the killing of Alex Pretti, calling the incident a “heartbreaking tragedy” and urging accountability, lawful policing, and restraint.
In a joint statement dated January 25, 2026, the Obamas said the killing should serve as a national wake-up call, warning that core American values are increasingly under threat amid what they described as aggressive and unaccountable law enforcement actions.
“Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job. 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 statement read.
The former first couple said those standards were not being met in Minnesota, arguing that recent operations by masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other federal officers had fuelled public outrage.
“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,” they said.
The Obamas cited what they described as “unprecedented tactics” that, according to them, have been criticised even by former senior officials within the Department of Homeland Security as embarrassing, lawless, and cruel.
They said those tactics had now resulted in the fatal shootings of US citizens, including Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and accused the current administration of attempting to downplay the incidents while offering explanations that are “directly contradicted by video evidence.”
“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 called on federal authorities to reconsider their approach and work constructively with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and state and local law enforcement agencies to prevent further violence and restore public trust.
“This has to stop,” they said. “I would hope that after this most recent tragedy, administration officials will reconsider their approach, and start finding ways to work constructively… to avert more chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals.”
The statement also praised ongoing peaceful protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country, describing them as a reminder of citizens’ responsibility to defend civil liberties and demand accountability from government institutions.
“In the meantime, every American should support and draw inspiration from the wave of peaceful protests,” the Obamas said, adding that it is ultimately up to citizens “to speak out against injustice, protect our basic freedoms, and hold our government accountable.”
