“Violence and terror have no place in the United States of America,” ex-President Biden calls for probe into Minneapolis killings

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former United States President Joe Biden has condemned the killing of two people by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis and has called for full, fair, and transparent investigations into the incidents.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, Biden described the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good as actions that run contrary to America’s core values. He said the country is “not a nation that guns down our citizens in the street” and “not a nation that allows our citizens to be brutalized for exercising their constitutional rights.”

“We are not a nation that tramples the 4th Amendment and tolerates our neighbours being terrorized,” the former President said.

Biden also commended residents of Minnesota for what he described as their strength and unity in the face of hardship. He said Minnesotans have continued to support one another and speak against injustice despite difficult conditions.

“The people of Minnesota have stood strong — helping community members in unimaginable circumstances, speaking out against injustice when they see it, and holding our government accountable to the people,” he said.

“Minnesotans have reminded us all what it is to be American, and they have suffered enough at the hands of this Administration,” Biden added.

The former President stressed that violence has no place in the United States, especially when it involves state authorities.

“Violence and terror have no place in the United States of America, especially when it’s our own government targeting American citizens,” he said.

Biden urged citizens to protect democratic values and insisted that the foundations of the country cannot be destroyed by one individual.

“No single person can destroy what America stands for and believes in, not even a President, if we — all of America — stand up and speak out. We know who we are. It’s time to show the world. More importantly, it’s time to show ourselves,” he stated.

He concluded by extending condolences to the families of the victims.

“Jill and I are sending strength to the families and communities who love Alex Pretti and Renee Good as we all mourn their senseless deaths,” Biden said.

Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and registered nurse, was killed during an immigration enforcement operation on the south side of Minneapolis. Colleagues described him as a healthcare worker known for caring for critically ill veterans.

His death has intensified scrutiny of federal law enforcement actions and has widened mistrust between frontline healthcare workers and federal authorities.

The incident is the second fatal shooting linked to federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks. It has sparked protests, renewed debate over enforcement methods, and growing calls for accountability.

The shootings occurred during a weeks-long deployment of immigration enforcement and other federal agents in Minneapolis. Authorities have intensified raids in the city as part of President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration agenda.

Minneapolis has also seen daily protests since the January 7 killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old resident who died after an ICE officer fired into her vehicle. In a separate incident last week, U.S. security operatives also shot a Venezuelan man in the city.