Pod Save America — "Trump Retreats After Alex Pretti's Killing"

Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode centers on the fallout from federal agents killing Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse in Minneapolis, during an immigration protest. The hosts examine the Trump administration's dishonest response, the widespread public and political backlash—including rare conservative criticism—and the White House's partial retreat in Minnesota. They also discuss upcoming congressional efforts to reform ICE and DHS, and close with a lighter segment on Trump’s health.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Background: Who Was Alex Pretti?

• Pretti was a 37-year-old ICU nurse from Minnesota, killed while filming federal agents and helping a protester.
• Video evidence shows agents tackled him, removed a gun, then shot him at least ten times ([03:00]-[05:00]).
• Immediate government response smeared Pretti as a "domestic terrorist"—a narrative quickly repeated by high-profile figures like Stephen Miller, J.D. Vance, Kristi Noem, and Greg Bevino.

Notable Quote:

"Mostly, I just want to say that I think he's a hero ... his last act was trying to help a woman who had just been brutally assaulted by a CBP officer ... his last words were 'Are you okay?'"
— Tommy Vietor ([05:15])

2. Trump Administration’s Response & Pattern of Falsehoods

• The White House and DHS rushed to blame Pretti, with little or no factual basis.
• Stephen Miller called Pretti "an assassin," while others parroted the 'domestic terrorism' line ([03:18]-[04:03]).
• Administration officials repeatedly lied despite video evidence, demonstrating their comfort with unchecked untruths ([10:53]-[12:15]).

Memorable Exchange:

"They are lying and lying easily, callously, without even blinking ... they're just lying, thinking, like, I'm gonna just say whatever the fuck I want, and who the hell cares?"
— Jon Favreau ([11:27])

• The hosts connect this reflexive dishonesty to a pattern: previous killings, misleading stories about detained children, the cover-up around Renee Goode's death, and ongoing attacks on protestors' rights.

3. Political and Public Blowback: A Rare Inflection Point

• Compared to previous incidents, Pretti's death triggered a massive, cross-partisan backlash:
  • Polling: 58% say ICE has gone too far ([25:21]). Trump approval on immigration: 39% approve / 53% disapprove.
  • Breakthrough: Prominent Republicans (e.g., Rand Paul, Gov. Greg Abbott, James Comer), conservative media figures, and even portions of Trump’s base voiced criticism for the first time ([25:21]-[27:02]).
  • Culture Response: Outpouring at sporting events (“fuck ICE” chant at Timberwolves game) and nonpolitical personalities engaging for the first time.

Notable Quote:

"Even those who want to be deferential to law enforcement... when you watch this video ... what ICE or Border Patrol looks like is not police. They look like a gang."
— Jon Lovett ([27:02])

• The hosts note that the agents' overtly celebratory behavior ("fist bumping, high fiving after Pretti's murder") only fueled anger ([28:58]).

4. Trump’s Retreat: Shifts in Policy & Personnel

• Trump replaced Greg Bevino (Border Patrol commander) in Minneapolis with Tom Homan and agreed, in principle, to impartial investigations and a reduction of federal agents in Minnesota ([31:43]-[35:37]).
• The administration stopped short of apologizing but noticeably declined to repeat initial "domestic terrorism" accusations ([36:12]).

Key Observations:

• Trump's change appeared driven by political headwinds, not moral outrage—he dislikes “the mess” and negative coverage ([37:18]-[39:01]).
• Stephen Miller remains the power center within the White House, often dictating messaging to others.
• The root problem—mass deportations—persists, as the hosts explain it’s a “math problem” (to meet deportation quotas, actual violent criminals are too few => innocent/semi-legal targets) ([39:02]-[41:10]).
• Personnel changes and “softer tone” are unlikely to fix systemic issues.

5. Minneapolis: Community Response & On-the-Ground Reports

• Lovett reports from Minneapolis, describing a city in pain but united in nonviolent protest and mutual aid ([48:12]-[53:38]).
• Community members cite Christian values as their motivation to show up:

  "Jesus said to love your neighbor ... you can't love your neighbor if you stay home." ([49:06])

• The National Guard is present, but distinguished from Border Patrol to reduce tension.

Notable Moment:

• "Granny against ICE" protester shouts at agents, humorously undermining their bravado, reflecting local resilience and a spirit of kindness ([56:04]-[57:24]):

  "Just that they've got tiny little winkies and small penises ... that's why they hide their face ... Kindness. That's the main thing."

• The hosts emphasize how the local response—mass vigils, peaceful protests, refusal to escalate—helped repel federal forces.

6. Congressional Response: Possible DHS & ICE Reforms

• Upcoming funding deadline: Senate Democrats push for separating DHS funding to demand changes like warrant requirements, agent identification, and cooperation with state investigations ([61:28]-[66:01]).
• Hosts note these are incremental reforms but likely effective only if paired with deeper structural changes—or a Democratic administration.
• The “abolish ICE” demand has gained mainstream traction, but clarity is lacking around what an alternative, humane immigration enforcement looks like ([67:30]-[69:15]).

Notable Quote:

"ICE has a budget that is the size of the Israeli military... They’re going to do their thing. There’s nothing Democrats can do ... except call attention to the fact that this is fucking bullshit."
— Jon Favreau ([63:13])

7. Trump’s Health Segment (Lighthearted Close)

• Discussing a New York Magazine piece on Trump’s health, the hosts lampoon the White House’s attempt to downplay concerns by spinning his dozing off as "active listening" ([74:33]-[76:34]).
• Trump’s own words reveal a leader preoccupied with legacy buildings and prizes, not policy ([80:34]-[81:00]).

Memorable Exchange:

"He is old. He lives an unhealthy lifestyle ... If they would just chill out, I think people wouldn't care as much."
— Tommy Vietor ([83:54])

TIMESTAMPS OF IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• [03:00]-[07:21]: Breakdown of the Alex Pretti shooting, smears, and the reality of his resistance
• [10:53]-[13:39]: Administration’s pattern of lies and shifting blame
• [19:03]-[20:46]: Discussion of state violence, rights, and press protections
• [25:21]-[28:58]: Accelerating public and political backlash; rare GOP splits
• [31:43]-[36:12]: White House retreat—personnel swaps and changed rhetoric
• [39:02]-[44:20]: Structural problem: Mass deportation as a "math problem," not just a messaging issue
• [48:12]-[53:38]: Live report from Minneapolis: Community unity, trauma, and personal stories from protestors
• [61:28]-[66:01]: Congressional reform prospects, limitations of current tools, "abolish ICE" debate
• [74:33]-[84:38]: Trump’s health story — Oval Office farce, legacy obsession, and comic asides

ADDITIONAL MEMORABLE QUOTES

• "You shouldn't have to be a hero to not have the government lie about you when you're shot dead in the street by agents of the state."
  — Jon Lovett ([07:23])

• "The lying is escalation. The lying is a form of ratcheting up the tension."
  — Jon Lovett ([09:30])

• "It's not like Trump is really feeling for Alex Pretti and his family ... Trump just doesn't like the mess."
  — Jon Favreau ([41:10])

OVERALL TONE

The conversation is sharp, urgent, and deeply outraged—punctuated by the hosts’ trademark irreverence and gallows humor. The tone turns somber when discussing the killings and their community impact, but hope shines through accounts of protester bravery and civic unity.

FOR FURTHER LISTENING

• Previous coverage: The Renee Goode case; the evolution of ICE and DHS abuses under Trump’s second term
• Upcoming: Friday’s followup episode, including updates on the government funding fight

Listeners walk away with a clear sense of the tragedy’s stakes—not just for Minnesota, but the nation’s conscience and political climate heading toward 2026.