Melania Trump breaks silence on Alex Pretti shooting with rare plea to the U.S.

Following a fatal shooting by ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minnesota, First Lady Melania Trump has made a rare public statement addressing the incident. The death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse and veteran, has sparked significant controversy and protests.

Conflicting accounts emerged after video appeared to contradict official claims that Pretti posed an imminent threat. Footage shows his legally-carried firearm remained holstered until agents removed it. He was later shot.

Senior Trump administration figures initially labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” intensifying public backlash. This mirrored reactions to a similar fatal encounter weeks earlier.

Facing pressure, the White House softened its position, calling the death a “tragedy” and promising a review. This marked a shift from earlier implications of Pretti’s responsibility.

Melania Trump addressed the crisis on Fox & Friends, focusing on unity. She cited her husband’s coordination with local leaders and urged any protests to remain peaceful, in an apparent de-escalation attempt.

Concurrently, President Trump is deploying a border advisor to Minnesota, a move critics fear may inflame tensions. Pretti’s family has vehemently rejected the official narrative, accusing agents of lying and using excessive force against their son.

Amid ongoing investigations and unrest, Melania Trump’s call for unity lands in a deeply polarized America. The incident remains a flashpoint in national debates over accountability and division.