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President Donald Trump brushed over the killing of 37-year-old U.S. citizen Alex Pretti in his speech in Iowa Tuesday.
Trump criticized his predecessor Joe Biden’s “open border” policies and railed against Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a Somali immigrant, whom the president accused of not being “proud” of America.
But Trump stopped short of addressing the fatal shooting of Pretti at the hands of Border Patrol over the weekend.
Also Tuesday, it was revealed that two federal agents had fired shots during the confrontation that led to Pretti’s death. The information was shared by a Customs and Border Protection official to Congress in a notice obtained by the Associated Press.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump expressed sympathy for Pretti, but also insinuated blame on the ICU nurse for bringing a gun to the demonstration.
“You can’t walk in with guns,” Trump told reporters. “You can’t do that.”
Trump also defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying she was doing a “very good job” and would not step down despite Democratic lawmakers calling for her ousting.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats would begin impeachment proceedings against Noem if Trump didn’t fire her.
Trump makes no mention of Alex Pretti in Iowa speech
President Donald Trump made no mention of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old U.S. citizen who was fatally shot by Border Patrol over the weekend, in his speech in Iowa Tuesday.
The speech focused on the economy, but Trump also touched on immigration, criticizing former President Joe Biden’s “open border” policies.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump did express sympathy for Pretti, but also insinuated blame on him for carrying a gun.
“You can’t walk in with guns,” Trump told reporters. “You can’t do that.” He called the shooting a “very unfortunate incident.”
President Donald Trump made no mention of Alex Pretti during his Iowa speech (Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images)
Rachel Dobkin27 January 2026 23:58
Trump rages against Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar again
President Donald Trump has raged against Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American and Minnesota Democrat, again during his speech in Iowa Tuesday.
“Nobody is able to come into our country, except for those that come in legally,” Trump said. “We need people to come in legally, but they have to show that they can love our country, not hate our country.”
Federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota has grown intensely as Trump singles out the Somali immigrant population in the state.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar at the U.S. Capitol on January 13. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Minnesota saw a massive federal fraud scandal in which hundreds of millions of dollars were allegedly stolen from welfare programs. Somali Americans made up most of the defendants charged so far in the schemes.
Trump said immigrants “have to be proud, not like Ilhan Omar” to enter the country.
The president has previously called Omar “garbage,” and said that “her friends are garbage.”
Rachel Dobkin27 January 2026 23:29
Two federal agents fired during Alex Pretti shooting: report
Two federal agents had fired shots during a confrontation that ended with the killing of 37-year-old U.S. citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis over the weekend, according to the Associated Press.
The information was shared by a Customs and Border Protection official to Congress in a notice obtained by the AP on Tuesday.
Pretti resisted as agents tried to take him into custody, according to the notice. One Border Patrol officer said, “He’s got a gun!” multiple times during the confrontation, the notice said.
According to footage of the shooting shared by media outlets, Pretti’s gun appeared to be in his waistband during the confrontation.
Rachel Dobkin27 January 2026 23:14
Trump rails against ‘group of morons’ in Biden administration for immigration policies
President Donald Trump has railed against the “group of morons” in the Biden administration for its “open border” immigration policies.
“It’s a lot of work taking criminals,” Trump said of his massive deportation efforts. “We got to get them out…We can never forget what that group of morons did to this country…That’s why we’ve got to win the midterms. “
Rachel Dobkin27 January 2026 22:55
Trump claims ousted federal employees ‘love’ him after getting paid more in private sector
President Donald Trump has claimed that the federal employees whose jobs his administration cut early on in his second term “love” him after getting paid more in the private sector.
“I’ve cut hundreds of thousands of federal jobs,” Trump said. “They hated me. They hated me. Now they love me. You know why? They all got jobs in the private sector, making twice as much money as they made from the federal government.”
President Donald Trump in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
Rachel Dobkin27 January 2026 22:43
Trump says economic growth is ‘exploding’
President Donald Trump has said that economic growth in America is “exploding.”
Inflation held steady in December at 2.7 percent, but grocery prices have remained high.
Read more about the latest inflation data:
Rachel Dobkin27 January 2026 22:34
President Donald Trump has begun his speech in Des Moines, Iowa, to tout his perceived economic achievements.
Trump began his remarks by boasting about his victories in Iowa. The president won the state in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.
Trump said, “Should we do it a fourth time?” The president has been known to float the possibility of running for president again, despite being term-limited.
Rachel Dobkin27 January 2026 22:30
LIVE: Trump speaks in Iowa after backing Kristi Noem amid Minnesota shootings
Rachel Dobkin27 January 2026 22:22
Immigration officials will testify to House Homeland Security Committee
Top officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, as well as Citizenship and Immigration Services, will testify to the House Homeland Security committee on February 10, Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino announced.
“Transparency and communication are needed to turn the temperature down,” Garbarino said.
Ariana Baio27 January 2026 22:20
Minneapolis mayor to answer questions on CNN town hall this week
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will be featured on a CNN town hall Wednesday where he will discuss the ongoing immigration operation and take questions about possible pathways forward, the network said.
The event, called “State of Emergency: Confronting the Crisis in Minnesota,” will go live Wednesday, January 28, at 8 p.m. ET.
CNN anchors Anderson Cooper and Sara Sidner will moderate the town hall.
Ariana Baio27 January 2026 22:00