Within hours of the video’s circulation, a handful of commentators on social platforms alleged, without providing documentation, that Pretti had ties to extremist groups. Those claims were amplified further when some cable pundits repeated them on air. By Wednesday, the phrase “domestic terrorist” had appeared in several trending hashtags linked to Pretti’s name.
Responding to the speculation, a senior White House official speaking on background said the administration “has no information at this time” to support labeling Pretti as a domestic terrorist. The official added that the term carries specific legal and investigative implications that require corroborated evidence. “Any such assessment must come from the relevant law-enforcement bodies once all facts are independently verified,” the official said.
President Donald Trump had faced increasing questions about his administration’s response after his initial remarks Tuesday failed to address the online allegations directly. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers in both parties urged the White House to clarify its position, warning that premature characterizations could inflame public tensions and influence the ongoing investigation. In a letter signed by 18 members of Congress, legislators called for “measured language and transparency” from federal officials.
During Thursday’s briefing, the White House press office shifted tone, stating unequivocally that the administration is not characterizing Pretti as a terrorist. Officials also reiterated support for the DHS review. According to the agency, its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is overseeing the examination of the body-camera video to determine whether use-of-force guidelines were followed. DHS noted that the review is a standard procedure when a fatal shooting may involve potential civil-rights concerns.
The Minneapolis Police Department, which declined to comment on the allegations against Pretti, said its detectives are coordinating with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the state agency that typically handles police-involved shootings. A spokesperson confirmed that all officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The fallout from the shooting comes as large portions of the United States contend with an Arctic blast that has produced life-threatening cold and heavy snowfall. Emergency responders in Minnesota reported significant resource strain, with personnel deployed simultaneously to storm-related incidents and protest gatherings that formed outside local government buildings after the release of the video. City officials stated that no major injuries were reported during the demonstrations.
Political pressure on the White House intensified after several prominent Republicans joined Democrats in criticizing the administration’s early handling of the case. In a joint statement, the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus said that “law-enforcement accountability and factual accuracy must take precedence over speculation.” Separately, the Senate Judiciary Committee signaled interest in holding hearings once state and federal investigations conclude.
Legal experts caution that the domestic-terror label, while undefined in some statutory contexts, can carry significant consequences for civil liberties if applied prematurely. Mary McCord, a former acting assistant attorney general for national security, noted in an interview that investigators must obtain clear evidence linking an individual to ideologically motivated violence before invoking federal terrorism statutes. “Absent that, such a designation can undermine public trust and hinder due-process rights,” she said in comments published by the non-partisan Lawfare Institute.
Advocacy organizations also weighed in. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota issued a statement urging officials at every level to release all unedited video once legally permissible and to refrain from “character smears.” Community leaders echoed that call, emphasizing the need for transparency to maintain credibility with residents who have witnessed several high-profile police shootings in recent years.
Meanwhile, the National Fraternal Order of Police defended the officers’ actions, stating that judgments should be suspended until the investigative files are complete. The group pointed to the extreme weather conditions at the time of the incident, arguing that officers were operating under hazardous circumstances that can complicate decision-making.
Medical examiners have yet to issue a public report on Pretti’s cause of death. According to Minneapolis city officials, preliminary results were shared with investigators but remain confidential. Family representatives did not respond to media requests, and attorneys who have previously worked on similar cases said it is common for relatives to wait for autopsy findings before making statements.
Under Minneapolis policy, the full body-camera recordings will eventually be released after formal interviews with the officers involved. City rules require that the material be made public within 90 days unless prohibited by court order. Activists have called for an accelerated schedule, arguing that early disclosure serves the public interest.
The DHS review will examine whether federal civil-rights laws were implicated and could recommend referral to the Department of Justice for further action. Officials said the agency will also evaluate training protocols, officer communications and the sequence of commands issued, which are audible in segments of the footage.
As federal and local inquiries progress, the White House said it will provide periodic updates but will withhold additional commentary until investigators complete their work. For now, administration spokespersons continue to stress that no official determination links Pretti to extremist activity and that the focus remains on establishing a clear factual record.
Crédito da imagem: ABC News Live
