First Lady Melania Trump has rarely spoken out on breaking news like this, but she broke her usual silence after the tragic shooting of Alex Pretti over the weekend in Minneapolis.
Alex, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who worked at a VA hospital caring for veterans, was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents on Saturday, January 24. This came just weeks after another woman, Renee Good, was killed in similar circumstances by federal agents in the same city, fueling massive outrage.
Videos from the scene quickly surfaced, showing Pretti being pepper-sprayed, tackled by multiple agents, and having his legally carried and holstered firearm removed—before he was shot. His gun was never drawn or used, and witnesses say he was trying to help a woman who had been pushed down by officers.
The initial response from some in the administration was harsh—figures like Stephen Miller labeled him a “domestic terrorist” or “would-be assassin,” echoing what was said about Renee Good. But as more footage emerged contradicting those claims, the tone shifted. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a “tragedy,” and President Trump said the administration would review the incident.
Melania appeared on Fox & Friends to address the growing tensions. In her calm, measured way, she focused on bringing people together.
“We need to unify,” she said. “I’m calling for unity. I know my husband the president had a great call yesterday with the governor and the mayor, and they’re working together to make it peaceful and without riots.”
She added simply: “I’m against violence, so if you protest, protest in peace.”
It’s a classic Melania moment—short, direct, and centered on calm rather than diving into the politics. The family of Alex Pretti pushed back hard against what they called “sickening lies” from the administration, saying in a statement that their son was a kind, heroic person whose last act was protecting a woman. They pointed out video evidence showing him with his hands raised and phone in hand, not a weapon.
President Trump has now sent his “border tsar” Tom Homan to oversee things in Minnesota under what’s being called Operation Metro Surge, reporting directly to him.
The whole situation feels raw and divided, with protests ongoing and calls for accountability growing louder. Melania’s plea for unity sounds sincere, but in today’s charged climate—especially with two deaths in quick succession and clashing narratives—achieving real unity seems tough. People are hurting, angry, and looking for answers, not just calls to stay peaceful.
What do you think—can her message help cool things down, or is the divide too deep right now?