Our rights should never be subject to collateral damage.
Today we are having our rights stripped from us as collateral damage in the name of immigration enforcement.
I encourage civil, bipartisan discussion on this post.
For the second time in a week, an individual was killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Also for the second time in a week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immediately commented blaming the individual who was shot. DHS pointed out that the man was “armed” and that this was a situation in which the individual wanted to “cause maximum damage and massacre law enforcement” while a bystander video (THIS VIDEO IS GRAPHIC AND I DO NOT RECOMMEND WATCHING IT) appears to show the man surrounded by officers on the ground, never touching his firearm, and shot repeatedly at point blank range.
The man has since been identified as Alex Pretti, who was confirmed to be a U.S. Citizen, and carrying his firearm legally. A video analysis from KCCI indicates he was trying to help up a woman who had been pushed down, he was pepper sprayed, he was knocked to the ground, an ICE agent likely removed his gun, and then, only then, he was shot.
Immediately, before any investigation had taken place, Kristi Noem made this comment:
“This individual who came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation of federal law enforcement officers committed an act of domestic terrorism. That’s the facts.”
Whether you agree with it or not, in the United States, we have the right to keep and bear arms.
Our rights should never be subject to collateral damage.
In the name of immigration enforcement, ICE drafted a memo that they are allowed to enter homes without a warrant. Over the past few weeks, there have been reports that ICE is going door to door looking for immigrants and it was confirmed that ICE broke down the door of a U.S. Citizen and removed him from his home assuming he was here illegally.
The fourth amendment protects against unlawful search and seizure.
Our rights should never be subject to collateral damage.
I am reminded of a post I wrote about Due Process in America, which is protected by our fifth amendment which clearly states, “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” When I wrote that post, I heard a lot of, “you are defending this guy?” and people pointing to articles like this one talking about his past activities. I did my best to explain that I was not defending him but rather I was defending due process of the law. Whether or not he is a criminal is not for me to decide, but it should be heard in court.
Out rights should never be subject to collateral damage.
I am reminded of early in 2025 when the administration chose to focus on students who supported Palestine in efforts to deport people who were here legally. I am reminded of the pressure from the Trump administration for CBS to fire Stephen Colbert. I am reminded that just this week FCC Chair Brendan Carr said we need equal airtime for late night shows. I am reminded that CBS pulled Inside CECOT because the Trump Administration had not yet commented meaning TV stations cannot have democrats on at all if republicans simply refuse to join. These seem to be clear attempts to use the executive pulpit to restrict the freedom of speech.
Our rights should never be subject to collateral damage.
Gregory Bovino, the Commander-at-Large for the U.S. Border Patrol said in an interview about the second amendment, “those rights don’t count when you riot and assault, delay, obstruct and impede law enforcement officers.”
I have two thoughts on that comment. First, our rights always count, that is why they are rights. Second, it is terrifying that the administration decides what is considered rioting, decides what speech is antithetical to American values, decides who gets due process, and frankly, decides which laws and rights to follow.
Our rights should never be subject to collateral damage.
To put it simply to this administration, “Have you no sense of decency?”
Sources:
Federal agents kill another person in Minneapolis, officials say, prompting clash with protesters
Federal agents involved in Minneapolis shooting, DHS says suspect was armed | Fox News
https://www.npr.org/2026/01/24/nx-s1-5687276/man-shot-dead-minneapolis
New onlooker video shows Border Patrol-involved Minneapolis shooting | Fox News Video
Alex Pretti, killed by federal officer, was an ICU nurse, outdoorsman
What we know about Alex Pretti, VA nurse killed by federal agent in Minneapolis – ABC News
Video analysis offers context on shooting of Alex Pretti
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/second_amendment
Internal DHS memo says ICE agents can enter homes without a judicial warrant : NPR
ICE memo allows agents to enter homes without judicial warrant: Whistleblower complaint – ABC News
Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution – Wikipedia
Due Process in America – Politically Rational
Fifth Amendment | U.S. Constitution | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
AG Releases Police Records Detailing Garcia’s Criminal History
CBS cancels Stephen Colbert’s show days after Trump settlement criticism – POLITICO
FCC says TV talk shows must offer equal time to political candidates – CBS News
CBS News airs pulled ’60 Minutes’ report on CECOT in El Salvador
First Amendment | U.S. Constitution | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
Bovino claims Border Patrol agents are ‘the victims’ in deadly Minneapolis shooting – POLITICO
