The NPR Politics Podcast

Episode: Does Alex Pretti’s Death Mark a Turning Point for Trump?
Date: January 26, 2026
Host: Tamara Keith
Guests: Domenico Montanaro (Senior Political Editor & Correspondent), Clay Masters (Minnesota Public Radio)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy—a Minneapolis ICU nurse—by federal immigration agents (ICE), examining the event’s details, the differing accounts between federal officials and video evidence, the immediate local and national reactions, and potential political ramifications for President Trump, the Republican Party, and U.S. immigration policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Shooting of Alex Preddy (00:43–02:07)

• Incident Summary:

  • Alex Preddy, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was filming ICE agents in Minneapolis when he was subdued and fatally shot in the back while pinned to the ground.
  • Official ICE statement claims Preddy approached agents threateningly with a gun; however, bystander video and eyewitnesses dispute this, showing he was holding a phone and was disarmed before being shot.

• Quote (Clay Masters):

  “Federal officials have said that Preddy approached agents in a threatening manner with a gun before he was shot and killed by an officer. But it's very important to note here that video and eyewitness testimony from NPR News dispute that account.” (01:13)

• Video Evidence:

  • The incident was captured on multiple videos from onlookers and bystanders.

Community & Local Government Response (02:08–04:35)

• Community Atmosphere:

  • Neighborhoods in Minneapolis adopted a “neighborhood watch” approach, with organized resistance and ICE observers patrolling streets, sharing information, and showing communal solidarity.
  • Businesses provided support to observers and witnesses.

• Frustration with Federal Secrecy:

  • State law enforcement repeatedly denied access to the site of the shooting, even after obtaining a judicial warrant.
  • Minnesota officials express frustration at being shut out of investigations, paralleling a recent case (Renee Macklin Good).

• Quote (Clay Masters):

  “There is a community strength that we are seeing throughout the Twin Cities... There is a very strong sense of that, especially in the neighborhoods in Minneapolis...” (02:40)

  “...when the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the local law enforcement for the state, arrived on site for this fatal shooting, they were refused access. And then they obtained a judicial warrant and were refused access as well.” (03:42)

A Possible National Political Tipping Point (04:35–06:56)

• Less Partisan Response:

  • Unlike the previous controversial ICE shooting, a wider spectrum of politicians—including moderate Republicans—now call for a thorough investigation into Preddy’s death.

• Trump's Uncomfortable Position:

  • Trump administration members issue inflammatory statements, but President Trump shows signs of wanting to de-escalate or distance himself from these tactics.

• Significance of Gun Rights:

  • Preddy had a legal permit to carry a firearm; Republicans typically defend Second Amendment rights, complicating the usual partisan narratives.

• Quote (Tamara Keith):

  “...there was a pretty quick retreat into partisan corners. ...This feels different. I'm seeing more Republicans say, no, a thorough investigation is needed.” (04:35)

• Quote (Domenico Montanaro):

  “...you have somebody on video, he was on the ground. He was not pointing a gun at anyone. He had a gun on him that was taken off of him. According to the video, he was shot in the back. ...Now with this shooting, there does seem to be an effort on the part of Republicans to want to dial this back, at least moderate Republicans.” (05:00)

Trump’s Shifting Response & Messaging Chaos (06:56–08:34)

• Conflicting Statements:

  • Trump tells the Wall Street Journal and posts on social media about the need for investigation and has a “good call” with Minnesota’s governor.
  • Appoints Tom Homan (border czar) to oversee Minnesota, with mixed reactions.
  • Key Trump immigration advisors (Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem) issue harsh, at-times inaccurate rhetoric, undermining attempts to dial down tensions.

• Quote (Domenico Montanaro):

  “...he needs to get everybody in his administration speaking from the same page... because right now they're all over the place.” (07:50)

State and Local Politicians’ Actions (08:34–12:17)

• Minnesota’s Demands:

  • Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison insist on impartial, independent state-led investigations and fewer federal agents in Minnesota.
  • Trump reportedly agrees in conversation, offering a rare moment of cooperation.

• GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Withdraws:

  • Chris Mattle, a Republican candidate for governor (and former police legal counsel), drops out, denouncing federal immigration tactics.

  • Mattle explicitly cites fear, overreach, and “retribution against Minnesota” as unacceptable.

  • Quote (Clay Masters):

    “He launched his bid just in December and he attributes it to the ongoing ICE crackdown in Minnesota that has led to the deaths of these two citizen observers. He says the operation has gone too far and people are living in fear. He calls it an unmitigated disaster.” (10:39)

Why Minneapolis Is Different (12:54–14:52)

• Organized Resistance:

  • Minneapolis has an unusually organized network of ICE observers.
  • The city has a politically active, well-educated population, and high voter turnout.

• Quote (Clay Masters):

  “Minneapolis resistance is much more organized. …a community that is very well organized to continue to push back against what they are seeing happen across the Twin Cities.” (13:31)

Immigration Policy, Federal Funding Leverage, and Political Motivations (14:52–16:46)

• Trump Widens Leverage:

  • The White House orders federal agencies to list all funding for sanctuary cities/states like Minnesota.
  • Withdrawal of funding used as leverage.
  • Federal government allegedly requests state voter rolls as a condition for withdrawing ICE presence, raising concerns about broader political motives beyond immigration.

• Quote (Domenico Montanaro):

  “When we look at whether or not this is strictly about immigration, it doesn't appear to be because Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota detailing a list of demands, and that included turning over the state's voter rolls...” (15:28)

Elections & Political Fallout (16:46–20:18)

• State & Federal Election Implications:

  • Minnesota’s close political balance could tip; moderate Republicans and swing districts become key.
  • Voter frustration with harsh ICE tactics—especially visible violence—risks alienating moderates and independents.

• Government Shutdown Threat:

  • Developments in Minnesota now affect national legislation: Democrats threaten to block DHS funding, increasing risk of a partial government shutdown.

• Bipartisan Calls for Investigation:

  • Notable Republican senators (Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy) call for joint federal-state investigations, emphasizing concern for institutional credibility.

• Quote (Domenico Montanaro):

  “...when you're seeing some of these Republicans start to peel off, you know, I think that's a good weather vane for where the politics are headed in all of this.” (19:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Video Evidence vs. Official Narrative:

  “But it's very important to note here that video and eyewitness testimony from NPR News dispute that account.” (Clay Masters, 01:13)

• On Shifting Republican Response:

  “I'm seeing more Republicans say, no, a thorough investigation is needed.” (Tamara Keith, 04:35)

• On the Second Amendment and Partisan Divide:

  “That matters because Republicans have traditionally supported not just the First Amendment or the Fourth Amendment, but the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms...” (Tamara Keith, 06:16)

• On Trump’s Difficulty Controlling Message:

  “...politically, he's got to get everybody in his administration speaking from the same page of the same book, because right now they're all over the place.” (Domenico Montanaro, 07:50)

• On Withdrawal of Republican Gubernatorial Candidate:

  “He calls it an unmitigated disaster. ...Mattle's fir[?] represented police officers in prior shooting cases and he has provided legal support...” (Clay Masters, 10:39)

• On Possible Government Shutdown:

  “It's quite viable. We could see a partial government shutdown by the end of this week because Democrats now are saying there's no way that they're voting for more DHS funding based on these kinds of tactics.” (Domenico Montanaro, 18:45)

Timeline of Major Segments

• 00:43 – The shooting of Alex Preddy: description and contested accounts.
• 02:14 – Community and local government response; ICE watchdog organizing in Minneapolis.
• 04:35 – Discussion of shifting political response and comparisons to earlier shootings.
• 06:56 – Analysis of Trump’s and administration’s varied reactions.
• 08:42 – Minnesota leaders’ demands and Trump’s reported concessions.
• 09:56 – GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Mattle withdraws over ICE tactics.
• 12:54 – Comparison of Minneapolis to other “sanctuary cities”; community resistance.
• 14:52 – Discussion of federal funding leverage and political motives beyond immigration.
• 16:46 – Implications for elections, local politics, and federal funding.
• 18:45 – Impact on potential government shutdown.
• 19:33 – Bipartisan calls for independent investigations; political implications for Trump and ICE.

Conclusion

The podcast underscores that the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy—amid a wave of aggressive federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis—could mark a significant political turning point for President Trump’s immigration policies. The event’s clear video evidence, the unprecedented pushback from both sides of the aisle (especially moderate Republicans), and its ripple effects into state and national politics (including a looming government funding crisis) set it apart from past episodes of federal overreach. The hosts highlight how locally rooted resistance, Minneapolis’s political landscape, and the administration’s overreach in seeking access to voter rolls complicate the situation and could pose new challenges for Trump’s presidency and the Republican Party heading into another contentious election year.