Watch as a reporter asks President Donald Trump, “Do you agree with the assessment from some officials that Alex Pretti was a domestic terrorist

President Donald Trump pushed back against characterizations of Alex Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” or assassin during remarks to reporters Tuesday, calling the fatal shooting of the Minneapolis nurse a “very unfortunate” incident that requires a full investigation.

The comments came as Trump departed the White House for Iowa, where he faced immediate questions about the weekend killing of Pretti by federal immigration agents amid protests over aggressive ICE operations in Minnesota.

Video footage of the encounter has circulated widely, showing Pretti – a licensed gun owner and intensive care unit nurse – being tackled and shot after reportedly approaching agents during a tense standoff.

A reporter asked Trump directly: “Do you agree with the assessment from some officials that Alex Pretti was a domestic terrorist?”

Trump responded that he had not heard Pretti described that way and emphasized he did not believe Pretti was acting as an assassin.

“He had a gun,” Trump added, reiterating concerns about individuals carrying firearms near law enforcement during heated protests. “You can’t have guns.

🚨#BREAKING: Watch as a reporter asks President Donald Trump, “Do you agree with the assessment from some officials that Alex Pretti was a domestic terrorist

President Trump responded by saying he had not heard Pretti described that way and called the situation “very… pic.twitter.com/Ymq1yO75IF

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You can’t walk in with guns,” he said, describing such confrontations as “very sad” and stressing they should be avoided.

The president’s measured tone marked a shift from earlier statements by some administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who had labeled Pretti’s actions as domestic terrorism or an attempted assassination attempt on federal agents.

Those claims drew backlash after bystander videos appeared to contradict initial accounts of Pretti brandishing a weapon or posing an immediate lethal threat.

Trump called for a thorough probe into the incident, which occurred during demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement raids in Minneapolis – the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by agents in the city this month.

He reiterated that no one wants to see people hurt, while noting the situation underscored the need to de-escalate tensions in protests.

The shooting has sparked nationwide outrage, bipartisan calls for independent review, and criticism of the administration’s rapid narrative.

Pretti’s family and supporters maintain he was lawfully carrying and recording the scene when agents intervened.

White House officials have since sought to distance the president from the more inflammatory early characterizations, with the incident highlighting ongoing friction over immigration tactics and Second Amendment rights in protest settings.