Trump Under Fire for Words About Renee Good’s & Pretti’s Death

President Donald Trump has sparked a fresh wave of controversy after framing his response to two fatal federal agent shootings in Minneapolis through the lens of personal and political affiliation, saying he feels “even worse” about the death of Renee Good than Alex Pretti because Good’s parents were “Trump fans.”

The comments — made on a national talk show — have been widely criticised as politicising civilian deaths and drawing sharp rebukes from commentators and opponents alike.

What Trump Said — Comparing Responses

In an interview on The Will Cain Show on Fox News, Trump was asked about the deaths of Good and Pretti, both of whom were killed by federal agents during heightened immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis (part of Operation Metro Surge). Trump said he felt the killings were “terrible” but emphasised that he felt “even worse” about Good’s death after learning that her parents were “big Trump fans” — a detail he said influenced his emotional reaction.

“Both of ‘em were terrible,” Trump said. “And I’m not sure about his parents, but I know her parents were big Trump fans… Makes me feel bad anyway… but even worse.” The president also suggested that Good may have been “radicalised,” though he did not provide clear evidence to support that claim.

Who Renee Good and Alex Pretti Were

Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who was shot and killed on January 7, 2026, was struck by a federal immigration agent during an enforcement action in Minneapolis. Her death — later ruled a homicide by local authorities — provoked early protests and raised questions about federal policing tactics. The Trump administration initially characterised the incident in terms of a threat to agents, a portrayal rejected by some eyewitness accounts.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was killed later in the month — on January 24, 2026 — by Border Patrol agents during a protest against the federal immigration surge. A widely circulated video shows him recording the scene on a phone before being restrained and fatally shot. Like Good’s death, Pretti’s killing sparked large protests and intense scrutiny of federal forces.

Political Reaction and Backlash

Trump’s comment about feeling worse over Good’s death because of her parents’ political loyalty has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle. Opponents say his remarks politicise tragedy and reflect a troubling calculus that values personal political affinity over the shared human loss in two separate deaths. Critics argue the president should focus on accountability, transparency, and systemic oversight instead of attributing emotional weight based on the victims’ families’ political views.

Some commentators said his framing came across as tone-deaf, given the national sensitivity over federal agent use of force and the ongoing community protests in Minneapolis and beyond. Demonstrators and lawmakers alike have continued to call for independent investigations and policy reforms.

Broader Context — Minneapolis and Federal Enforcement

The remarks came as the nation continues to grapple with the consequences of Operation Metro Surge, a broad federal immigration enforcement campaign that brought thousands of agents to Minnesota. The deployment has sparked multiple protests and heightened tensions between local authorities and federal agencies. In both Good’s and Pretti’s deaths, disputes over the official narrative and citizen-recorded videos have fueled debates over the use of force, civil liberties, and the relationship between federal power and community safety.

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