Opinion
Following the Jan. 7 killing of Renée Nicole Macklin Good by federal agents in Minneapolis, I wrote trying to understand something of Ms. Good’s life through a prize-winning poem she wrote as a student. On Jan. 24, a second Minneapolis resident, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, was shot and killed by United States Border Patrol agents. Video footage shows that Mr. Pretti, an intensive care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, stepped between a woman and an agent pepper spraying her and then was sprayed himself. The videos show him filming the interaction with a phone in one hand and holding nothing in the other hand. As agents restrained him, one appeared to take from Mr. Pretti’s waistband a holstered pistol which local authorities later confirmed he was legally carrying. Then agents opened fire, shooting Mr. Pretti at least ten times while he was restrained and after he lay motionless on the ground. Sworn testimony from two witnesses corroborates the video evidence.
As in Ms. Good’s case, state investigators were denied access to the shooting scene by the federal government. Following this refusal to share information, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension sued and U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud issued an order barring federal officials from destroying evidence in the case. Please read that again — in the face of a killing that appears to have been a state-sanctioned murder of an innocent person, it was necessary to issue a ruling barring the federal government from destroying evidence in the case.
Federal officials have attempted to turn causality and culpability upside down and blame the victims — both Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti — for their deaths. Stephen Miller, President Trump’s deputy chief of staff, called Mr. Pretti a “would-be assassin” while the administration asserted with no evidence that he had committed an act of “domestic terrorism.”
Hoping to understand a little more, I contacted a Minneapolis friend and fellow musician in her mid-30s, whom I’ve known since her childhood and with whom I’ve had the good fortune to work performing music. Would she be willing to speak about the recent events? Here are excerpts from the letter she wrote to me.
“I woke up this morning grieving. It’s grief for people who have been shot and killed for no other reason than being in the way, grief for neighbors I don’t know personally, and grief for morals, humanity, and compassion that I don’t see whatsoever in the loud and powerful but do see palpably in my community. I feel love and warmth for my neighbors who have been beaten or killed, for my neighbors who want to live better lives, for my neighbors who may have made an uninformed decision in the past that they regret and want to change.
“I honestly really dislike politics. The people we’ve elected have forgotten about the people they represent. There are people in power who are greedy to the point that they will lie and cover up any reputation-damaging thing in an attempt to stay in power. But this is not about politics. It’s about what’s right and what’s wrong at the most basic human level.
“I’m not one to be on the front lines of these kinds of things. I typically stay back, donate when I can, and try to support my friends and close community. But this time I’m aware, as a transplant to Minnesota and as someone who didn’t fully realize the scope and horror of the atrocities going on in the last year until they came to my doorstep, that I need to share and spread awareness of what truly is happening here and provide resources to people in all corners of the country and the world (social media is good for something I guess). What truly is happening is we are being attacked for protecting our friends and neighbors. I’m using the collective we even though I am not directly impacted, because I feel the grief and fear through the videos I watch and the neighbors I talk to. We are being beaten, verbally assaulted, and killed for speaking up or documenting the lawless assault on our city and community. We are coming together peacefully but we are also incredibly angry and will yell as loud and proud as we can until someone hears us. We need everyone to hear us, to fear for and with us, and to step up with us to fight the wrong that powerful people are doing to us to break us apart.
“As a musician, I have seen how artists all over Minnesota have come together to oppose the bad and embrace the good in each other and our neighbors. There is no greed even though some live paycheck to paycheck or gig to gig. There is only love and respect and support for those hardworking community members who are scared to death.”
The letter closed with this: “I have a friend who had to grieve a fellow nurse and on that same day she gave birth with the help of her trusted nurse midwives to a bright light who knows nothing of the world around her yet. How tragically poetic is that? Sending my love.”
So. It seems the problem has been defined. What steps could be taken to mitigate risk in the current situation?
1) All local government entities should honor risk detainers, this avoids giving ice an excuse to wander around neighborhoods.
2) Realizing that most (even if not all) of the ice agents probably mean well, and are just trying to do their jobs, let’s just follow their direction and treat them with respect. (I am reminded of how annoyed I was to get kicked out of an empty gas station in Colorado for not having a mask by a fairly aggressive attendant who was behind glass—doing her job of course… No I didn’t riot or through a fit at the tactics, she was just doing what she was told).
3) Continue to advocate for open borders and unlimited mass immigration in congress. Attempt to maximize the benefits available to these people in order to create a permanent underclass in debt to their democrat politicians. Many young and naive will be swayed. The media is on your side!!
Best of luck my progressive friends.
Thanks for the article, David. Your works, your thoughts, and your person are treasured in Wyoming!
Great to see this here! Keep the Faith.
George Orwell’s novel, “1984″ describes a nation in which Big Brother commands citizens what to believe, who to hate, how to think. Patriotism = Obedience, and disobedience comes with stiff penalties. We made it past 1984, but are headed toward Orwell’s vision under the authoritarian leadership of Donald Trump. From “1984″ – distressingly applicable to 2026 USA:
“If the facts say otherwise, the facts must be altered.”
“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
“And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed–if all records told the same tale–then the lie passed into history and became truth.”
Qanon believers, Jan 6 traitor defenders, stolen election believing idiots, and bigoted fox news sycophants all showing up to defend ICE and place blame on everything that isn’t republican.
Shameful….
I briefly attended college in St. Paul, MN in the fall of 1970. The cultural diversity of the twin cities was a divergent experience for me after going from a sequestered academic environment at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA, back to Wyoming to graduate from local high school and then on to Macalester College in St. Paul.
I dropped out in the spring of 1971, lost my student deferment (S draft status) and spent the next two years expecting to be drafted and taking on what seemed like an endless succession of temporary jobs available to workers with a (1A draft status). in 1972 at the age of 20, I applied for an electrician’s apprentice program and attended an interview in Casper. One of the board members stated he had two sons in Vietnam and asked why I wasn’t over there too. I replied that my Dad (who was a WWII veteran who drove an Army ambulance) had told me I was not enlisting, but if I got drafted I was going. Following up on that, a second member asked why they should put me in this program if I could be drafted at any time. Although a younger board member, who appeared to be an actual working electrician rather than a business person, spoke up and seemed to favor hiring me, I was soon dismissed with the usual patronizing statement: “Thank You, we’ll let you know what we decide.”
I didn’t tell them or my parents, I had been anti-war since watching the Chicago Democratic Convention of 1968 on TV, when baton wielding police beat and arrested hundreds of protesters and what followed in May of 1970 with the Kent State killing of four students when National Guard troops opened fire on a campus protest. I had been initiated at a Main Street rally in Andover, and participated in protests in Minneapolis/St. Paul as well. Looking back, it wouldn’t have made much difference being honest with the board. They had already passed judgment–my hair was too long anyway. Ironically at 74, I now keep it buzzed like many of them did in ‘72.
Thus experientially, I’m not surprised when I see anti-ICE protesters being executed by agents in Minneapolis. Yet, I am deeply saddened not only for the victims, but for personally having lived and loved in that great city. I’m also appalled, angry and afraid, all at the same time. Afraid for myself and my family, knowing what is about to come down, but very afraid for our country as well.
What happened to the Bill of Rights embodied in the United States Constitution? Where are the lessons from history calling out the destructive lies and propaganda of fascism and the cruel despotic genocide of authoritarian regimes? This isn’t about immigration policy, nor is it about enforcing the Rule of Law. It’s about political retribution and petty personal vendetta against the American people, especially those who, like in 1968-69, disagree with how federal power is being abused.
But moreover, where the hell is Congress? Congress is supposed to be the check on Executive power, yet ICE/HS/BP are following a string of unlawful Executive Orders that have sailed virtually unopposed past both parties. Oh, the Democrats always raise a big stink, but they haven’t tried anything substantive since their twice failed attempts at full impeachment. Likewise, some Republicans might stink-speak occasionally, but they too remember Liz Cheney’s primary and fade back into the dark money waters of the Washington swamp. That’s because they are all there for the same singular reason, to get rich, or richer, as the following quote points out:
“Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.”
20th President of the United States James A. Garfield — assassinated July 2, 1881
How very true those words ring today, which tells us that nothing has really changed but the scale of the corruption. Garfield was killed two days before Independence Day by a ne’er do well delusional lunatic who believed he was saving the country. Some say he was encouraged by moneyed interests inside and outside government, who did not want to derail their gravy trains and change the status quo. Then as now, direct access to the Treasury of the United States, brings forth a vulnerability to corruption, which in turn encourages ignorance and recklessness. Yet as Garfield says, the people who voted-in these members of a corrupt Congress are ultimately responsible for that character.
As a historian, that is what gives rise to my fear for our country, for it says historically that Democracy is dead, that it died a long time before Garfield and there isn’t much we can do about it except ride out the storm of impending anarchy. As a patriot, I’m hoping it can be turned around without using pitchforks and torches.
Remember, Rise, Resist!
What about the illegal immigrants that commit crimes, maim or flat out murder people? Where was all this angst when the couple south of Torrington was literally decapitated when an illegal alien high on meth hit them head on at over 70 miles per hour? What about the 40 illegal aliens who were behind the wheels of 80,000 lb trucks with multiple safety issues? What about the illegal aliens arrested by the Laramie County Sheriff’s department out of Denver who plied their illegal drug trade in southeastern Wyoming? And it goes on and on. Did we just overlook those tragic events?
Joe Biden and the failed border czar Kamala Harris brought this on the American public by allowing millions of people to cross the border unvetted. Trump closed the border, something Biden refused to do and apparently it was not as hard as Joe portrayed it to be. It is tragic that Biden encouraged people to come, some I am sure are good people trying to make a better life for themselves. Now they have becomes pawns in the battle to reverse the open border – something that should have never happened in the first place. But what about the many that were criminals and continue to commit crimes in this country? Where is all of this “love” for the community that are victims of the crimes committed by these new “neighbors?”
At the end of the day no matter which side of the isle you are on it’s a cluster. It was a cluster before January of 2025 and it continues to be a cluster as we move into 2026.
The saddest part? It’s turned into political grandstanding by both sides of the ledger.
Rob, I agree with your comment: “It’s turned into political grandstanding by both sides of the ledger.”
However, lets back up a second, “What about the 40 illegal aliens who were behind the wheels of 80,000 lb trucks with multiple safety issues?” In reality that is the trucking companies responsibility. So let’s place blame where it belongs.
“What about the illegal immigrants that commit crimes, maim or flat out murder people?” Good point, but not everyone who is an undocumented immigrant is a criminal. Maybe a better answer to what is happening in our country would for ICE to target their efforts on incarcerating the known “criminals” and not doing random sweeps.
” I am sure are good people trying to make a better life for themselves. Now they have becomes pawns in the battle to reverse the open border” Yes, so true. So maybe if we and our government can raise above the ideology that every undocumented is automatically bad, we can become better for it and maybe, just maybe, the “political grandstanding” will become history.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
What we really need it honest immigration reform – not another political game – but true reform that allows the country to properly vet and open the border to people that can fill unwanted jobs and allow immigrants to chase the American dream. We work with some of those folks and they are great to work with – truly appreciative of the opportunities – often more so than citizens.
But a wide open border, come one, come all results in the chaos we have lived with the last 8-10 years plus.
Well said.
I suggest that Mr. Romtvedt watch Alpha News documentary ‘The Fall of Minneapolis’ that makes a strong case that Derek Chauvin was railroaded by the local authorities, which would explain the Feds handling the investigation as Minneapolis is incapable of doing so as impartially as possible.
Kristi Noem’s grandstanding hasn’t helped matters; but none of this would be happening if Biden hadn’t abandoned his duty to protect the USA via strong borders. None of this would have happened if Governor Walz and Mayor Frey didn’t have ‘sanctuary city’ policies in place to protect illegal aliens. Miss Good and Mr. Pretti would be alive today if they exercised common sense and stayed home instead of actively inserting themselves into a law enforcement operation. Using one’s car as a deadly weapon, or bringing a firearm to a riot is just asking for trouble. Stop thinking with your glands and use your brains before taking your 1st and 2nd Amendment rights to the next level that will get yourself arrested at best, dead at worst.
Wow. When a paramilitary force invades your city and starts roughing up your friends and neighbors in violation of numerous constitutional rights, you should lay down and take it. And don’t carry your legally owned firearm in accordance with local laws. If you told me a year ago that a Wyoming citizen would say these things, I would not have believed it. I seem to remember a lot of state capital protests around COVID time with lots of men armed with long guns, and I don’t remember anyone around here saying, “You shouldn’t bring a gun to a protest.”
US gov annual budget is ~$6.8T. It’s been estimated that 10% is lost to fraud. Let’s say that’s high, it’s only 5% lost. That’s $340B. Every year. Non stop.
We started out with Somali fraud estimated at $1B for Minnesota. Then it climbed to 6, then 9, now 19+ the deeper folks dig. It appears everyone’s in on it too, from the governor, AG, mayors etc. etc. Fraud laced through daycares, healthcare, even limo services. So ICE showed up to crack down on it all and folks are mad as wet hens.
If a bank’s being robbed and the cops show up to arrest the thieves, should hundreds of people then purposefully place themselves in between the cops and the thieves, armed declaring their rights, parking their cars to obstruct, blocking roads, doxx’ing the cops, threatening their families with death threats? Should the local government officials tell the crowds it’s OK to shoot and kill the cops? Sure, one solution is to erase the cops. There, all better now.
ICE are not fraud police. They are not the FBI. They are Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and they have no jurisdiction over anything except immigration. Don’t be misled.
It’s been said by others. If this was about immigration the Trump administration would have hit Texas or Florida first. This is indeed political theater put on by a fascist government. Our government has exposed themselves as liars and traitors who don’t value the freedoms of anyone, including their gun toting voters. Now we are faced with the extremes they will go to to stay in power. May the rest of America show the same courage as the people of Minnesota.
Immigrants have been demonized and de-humanized by the relentless screech of the right-wing propaganda machine. Most are decent and hard working people who have been granted work permits or asylum cases, and want nothing more than legitimate legal status. ICE has been arresting people as they leave their immigration court hearings, regardless of the status of their case. The administration revoked asylum status for thousands of people who had permission to be in the country. Billions of dollars have been budgeted to build detention centers to jail tens of thousands of people, most of whom are not criminals, and many of whom are children! Jail is expensive. Why are we jailing non-violent people and keeping them from going to their jobs and their pre-schools? Billions of tax dollars are being wasted on pointless cruelty. Let’s create a humane system to sort out good neighbors from criminals. Hire more judges and take care of the backlog of cases. Do the detective work to locate the actual criminals, get judicial warrants, and cooperate with local officials to arrest them. Ask yourself, are the people you are voting for working to enforce the law, or are they more interested in white supremacy and punishing their political adversaries?
Insanity is what is happening in Minneapolis.
On both sides.
The Troll in Chief has sent his under trolls to the the Land of 10,000 unhinged social justice warriors to captivate the nation. And it has, just as intended.
2 people have died now as a result of Political Theater.
Chad, that is like saying both sides are at fault when the victim of a violent domestic assault screams and spits in the face of the aggressor.
Minnesota is our home state. We moved here in 1980, and continued to visit all of our Minnesota family and friends in the decades that have followed. What is happening in the Minneapolis area is devastating. Can you imagine going to your local grocery store and having ICE agents everywhere? You are driving to work and 3 blocks from your home, ICE agents are in apt.parking lot causing chaos and concern for everyone? Your neighbors who are not white are being picked out and harassed. Up until ICE arrived in your neighborhood, the only menaces were the wild turkeys.
The stress and fear are real for my family & friends. How does one handle seeing your neighborhood being flooded with out of control ICE agents who are causing traffic issues, and aggressive behavior?
An ICE agent coming to your car and pulling out a gun, pointing it at your head and screaming to stop following them, when you are just trying to get home?
This Trump administration is encouraging Minnesota residents to stand up for their communities and neighbors. The ICE agents are lawless, and there is no calmness or respect to human beings.
Everything is chaos! Trump continues to add his ignorant comments laced with misinformation and lies. ICE agents were assigned to get the “ bad guys” and it appears they are going after all non white people. Oh wait, they are killing anyone that is a threat by videotaping them! This administration does not care about the constitution regarding Minnesota or any state that Trump did not win in elections. No one wants rapists, thieves, gang members, murderers in our country. Is this the way to accomplish this problem? How many more people will die? This is a dark time in the history of the United States. How the republican party can stand behind this administration is despicable.
Laurie, what America is watching on TV/internet is EXTREMELY isolated. This garbage isnt going on everywhere. There are not enough ICE agents to flood a single neighborhood let alone a major US city.
Causing traffic issues is what the protestors do, it’s their thing to shutdown Interstates if they can.
Yes, Trump continues to add his Ignorant comments, his underlings flat out lie, and you know what? They get exactly what they want, people getting hysterical and losing their stinking minds.
No human being in a very long time has been able to manipulate people more than Donald Trump does, with those that hate him. He can literally control his haters more than MAGA, and that is no easy feat.
They have killed no one for video taping them, they have killed 2 people dumb enough to physically interact with Govt. officials that literally can get away with murder, especially during a period of civil unrest. 1300 people a year are killed by police across this country, many of them in identical circumstances as Good and Pretti (“they tried to run me over” and “they had a gun”). Where is the outrage for probably hundreds of wrongful deaths EVERY YEAR by American “law” enFORCEment.
You and the rest of America are witnessing political theater that costs lives for those that want to participate. The Floyd riots showed Trump and others wanting a reaction, exactly where to send their “ICE Capades”.