The Tony Kennett Cast – Ep. 490

AP Reports “3rd Border Patrol Shooting,” as Alex Pretti Investigation Gets Complicated

Date: January 28, 2026
Host: Tony Kennett
Guest: Rob Bluey (President, The Daily Signal)
Podcast: The Daily Signal / Syndicated Nationwide

Episode Overview

In this high-paced, news-heavy episode, Tony Kennett dives into rapidly unfolding national controversies involving federal law enforcement shootings—specifically the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The episode analyzes media narratives, political reactions from local and federal leaders, and implications for immigration enforcement, public safety, and political posturing. Kennett is joined by Rob Bluey, President of The Daily Signal, to discuss congressional dynamics, looming government funding fights, and impeachment threats. The episode concludes with international news updates, a segment on the "Doomsday Clock," social commentary, and listener questions, all delivered with Kennett's signature sharp wit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. BREAKING NEWS & MEDIA COVERAGE

• AP’s Border Patrol Shooting Report
  • AP reports “two federal officers” fired shots in the fatal encounter with Alex Pretti (00:06).
  • Details still developing; names of officers undisclosed; confusion over whether Pretti’s Sig Sauer was discharged.
• Rumors & Political Backdrop
  • Social media rumors swirl about Trump administration "pulling out" of Minneapolis.
  • Official statements contradict withdrawal claims—Operation Metro Surge remains ongoing (00:35).
• Media Narrative Critique
  • Kennett is highly critical of the national media, especially for escalating tension and misrepresentation (23:07, 25:39):

    "Very, very ill advised to rush out right then at that very moment and proclaim now is the time..." (26:06).

2. POLITICAL RESPONSES AND INFIGHTING

• Statements from Key Leaders:

  • Tom Homan (Border Czar): Emphasizes law enforcement support, seeks stakeholder dialogue (06:41).
  • Mayor Jacob Fry (Minneapolis):

    “Public safety works best when it’s built on community trust, not tactics that create fear or division.” (06:59)

  • Refuses cooperation with federal immigration law enforcement:

    “Minneapolis does not and will not enforce federal immigration laws...” (07:30)

  • Governor Tim Walz (Minnesota): Calls for “impartial investigations" and reduction of federal agents in Minnesota, sparking outrage from activists (08:12).
  • President Trump:

    “We have the crime down to a level that nobody ever...I campaigned a little bit on crime, a lot on the border...” (07:23)

    • Emphasizes federal authority and responsibility via the Supremacy Clause (07:48).

• Political Posturing and Contradictions

  • Kennett lampoons politicians’ changing tones, especially Gov. Walz’s shift from conciliatory to combative in the face of left-wing criticism and media spotlight (09:05, 11:01).

3. THE ALEX PRETTI CASE: COMPLEXITIES & NEW REVELATIONS

A. Original Narrative vs. Emerging Details

• Initial media portrayal: Pretti as an innocent bystander, “legal observer.”
• New evidence reveals Pretti’s repeated, coordinated interference with ICE and law enforcement (16:12–22:45).
  • Signal chat logs and footage indicate Pretti was actively alerting others to ICE operations and possibly obstructing arrests (20:35).

B. Key Quotes and Moments

• Dana Bash (CNN):

  "Alex Pretti had a physical encounter with federal agents about a week before he was shot..." (16:12)

• Kennett:

  "This is not just some random guy out there... Targeted harassment, doxing and obstruction repeatedly." (22:12)

C. Host Analysis

• Kennett stresses legal boundaries:

  "You do not have a right to stand in the middle of the road and obstruct traffic as a protest, as some First Amendment rule. That is not true." (22:45)

• Blames city leaders (Walz and Fry) for setting conditions that endanger protesters and the public.

4. MEDIA & POLITICAL ESCALATION AROUND SHOOTINGS

• Mainstream outlets accused of fueling panic and encouraging weaponization at protests (23:17–24:49).
• AP, ABC News, and others cited for irresponsible reporting—jumping to headline a “third” shooting with scant verified details (25:39–26:06).

5. CONGRESSIONAL & ADMINISTRATION FALLOUT

A. DHS Funding Showdown

• Congress faces a January 31st deadline for government funding; Dems threaten to defund DHS over immigration enforcement controversies (29:22–31:30).
  • Rob Bluey:

    "Traditionally, the issues of border security and immigration enforcement have played to the favor of Republicans." (32:23)

B. Impeachment Posturing

• Calls to impeach Secretary Kristi Noem and others surface, but Kennett sees this as empty grandstanding:

  "It's for crimes, misdemeanors, actual things that she has done that are considered illegal..." (44:36)

• Tim Walz:

  "I will vote no on any legislation that funds ICE until it is reined in and overhauled." (37:06)

C. Intramural GOP & Dem Tension

• Both parties criticized for performative politics and lack of substantive reforms (34:38, 37:27).

Notable Quotes & Segments

• Gov. Tim Walz (09:05):

  "I've never witnessed anything like this...everyone here has a trauma."

• Tony Kennett (11:14):

  "Yeah, I would totally beat the S out of Vice President J.D. Vance amid Mr. Cooling down the rhetoric."

• Dana Bash (16:12):

  "CNN is learning that Alex Pretti had a physical encounter...about a week before he was shot and killed by law enforcement."

• News Anchor (25:39):

  "Another shooting involving the US Border Patrol, this time in Southern Arizona. According to the Pima County Sheriff's Department..."

• Rob Bluey (32:23):

  "Part of it is trying to placate and political posturing to the left wing base..."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:06–07:11: Breaking news and evolving law enforcement situation.
• 09:05–11:41: Gov. Walz’s tough talk, city policy defiance, media optics.
• 16:12–22:45: CNN reveals Pretti’s prior altercation; Signal chat logs suggest coordination.
• 23:17–26:06: Media escalation, framing of shootings, critique of irresponsible reporting.
• 29:22–38:24: Rob Bluey joins to discuss Congress, DHS, funding fight, and impeachment talk.
• 44:05–47:00: Impeachment rhetoric, Kennett’s critique of overuse and lack of substance.
• 51:52–60:47: International news — Cuba, Iran, and the Doomsday Clock satire.
• 63:21–66:45: Online rhetoric and calls for violence, Kennett’s analysis.
• 66:45–71:40: TikTok sale, social media, and political outrage.
• 71:40–76:28: Listener mailtime: politics, corruption, and the Second Amendment.

Additional Segments

International Policy & Science Satire

• Rumors of potential U.S. naval blockade on Cuba, China's response lampooned (51:52).
• Satirical take on the “Doomsday Clock” and climate/nuclear risk anxiety (57:00–60:47).

Listener Mailbag Q&A

• Topics: Why aren’t more officials prosecuted? Congressional wealth-building. Second Amendment hypocrisy (72:00–76:28).

Memorable Moments

• Media Irony:
  Kennett’s repeated mockery of media framing—“mostly peaceful,” “third shooting!”—showing how narratives are constructed (23:07, 25:39).

• Political Double Standards:
  Noting politicians who flip messaging for the cameras or their base, especially Walz and Fry (06:59, 11:01).

• Humor and Sarcasm:
  The running gag about the Doomsday Clock:

  "They have created new text below it to announce it is 88 seconds to midnight." (60:35)

• Rob Bluey on Congressional Approval:

  "When it comes to Congress's approval rating or the trust in the institution, it's right there down next to telemarketers..." (34:38)

Conclusion

Tony Kennett’s coverage weaves together fast-moving developments, government infighting, media critiques, and the impact on public safety and national debate over law enforcement and immigration. The show’s tone is incisive, cynical, and unapologetically conservative, with significant skepticism towards both mainstream media narratives and political grandstanding on all sides.

[End of Summary]