Melissa Stuart

Statement from Veterans For Responsible Leadership January 24, 2026: Today, Veterans For Responsible Leadership mourns the killing of Alex Pretti, a Minnesota resident, U.S. citizen, and healthcare professional who served veterans through his work as a nurse with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Pretti dedicated his life to caring for others — including those who once wore this nation’s uniform — and his death at the hands of federal immigration agents is a tragedy that should never have occurred. This incident highlights a deeply disturbing trend: the misuse of ICE agents as a de-facto paramilitary or secret police force operating inside American communities. These agents are being deployed without sufficient training, transparency, or coordination with local authorities, creating fear rather than safety. It is a betrayal of American values and constitutional norms. We understand the anger and grief this has sparked in Minnesota and beyond. Those emotions are real and justified. But we urge calm. Violence and chaos only deepen the harm. The path forward is peaceful protest, civic action, and sustained public pressure — the very tools that have strengthened this democracy for generations. We call on Americans to contact their Members of Congress and demand accountability, oversight, and immediate reform of federal enforcement practices that endanger civilian lives. Federal power must never be used to terrorize the people it exists to serve. As veterans, we swore an oath to defend the Constitution — not a political agenda, not fear, and not unchecked authority. We honor Alex Pretti’s service by demanding a country worthy of it.