Kristi Noem says Minneapolis shooting suspect’s actions ‘domestic terrorism’

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem on Saturday called the alleged actions of the suspect killed in a Border Patrol-involved shooting in Minneapolis “domestic terrorism” and accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of encouraging violence against federal officers and emphasized that President Donald Trump is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act if deemed necessary.

“When you perpetuate violence against a government for ideological reasons and reasons to resist and perpetuate violence, that is the definition of domestic terrorism,” Noem said at a news conference at FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. he said.

“This individual, who arrived with guns and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation by federal law enforcement officers, committed an act of domestic terrorism,” Noem added. “These are the facts.”

Noem described the incident as starting when DHS officers were conducting “targeted operations” in Minneapolis against an illegal alien with a criminal history that included domestic assault, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid license.

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“An individual approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun,” and agents attempted to disarm him. “Officers attempted to disarm this individual, but the armed suspect reacted violently,” Noem said. “An agent, fearing for his own life and the lives of his fellow officers around him, opened fire in defense.”

Paramedics tried to help, but the man, later identified as 37-year-old Alex Pretti, “was pronounced dead at the scene,” Noem said.

He also claimed that Pretti had “two magazines containing ammunition that held dozens of rounds” and that they were not identified.

“This appears to be a situation where an individual arrives on the scene to inflict maximum harm on individuals and kill law enforcement,” Noem said.

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Anti-ICE agitators stand behind a barricade of trash cans as they gather near the site where a man was shot and killed by a federal agent in Minneapolis on Saturday. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Noem said the attack was followed by unrest in the region.

“Hundreds of protesters later arrived on the scene,” he said. “They started obstructing and attacking law enforcement officers,” he added. “We saw objects, including ice and other objects, being thrown at them and a violent attack began.

“Oh [Homeland Security Investigation] The HSI agent’s finger was bitten off.”

He said crowd control measures were implemented “to ensure the safety of the public and law enforcement at the scene.”

Noem placed the blame on Minnesota’s political leadership, saying the situation “didn’t have to happen.”

“The governor of Minnesota and the mayor of Minneapolis need to take a long, hard look in the mirror,” he said. “They need to evaluate their rhetoric, their speech, their encouragement of this type of violence against our citizens and law enforcement officers.”

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Noem claimed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz “encouraged residents, citizens, and violent rioters to resist.” (Reuters/Tim Evans)

He also accused Walz of undermining federal officials. “I want to remind you that Governor Walz said at today’s press conference that our officers are not even law enforcement, which is a lie,” Noem said. “He called them the Gestapo.”

Noem also alleged that Walz “encouraged residents, citizens, and violent rioters to resist” and alleged that state leaders smeared federal officers “endangering their own and their families’ lives.”

During the briefing, Noem was asked whether Trump was closer to invoking the Insurrection Act in response to the unrest. He didn’t ignore it.

“The President will use whatever tools he needs to fulfill his promises to the American people,” Noem said.

He added that the Trump administration will continue to operate in Minneapolis despite objections from state and local leaders.

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“We’re going to treat Minneapolis the same way we treat every other city in this country,” Noem said, referring to immigration enforcement operations such as Operation Metro Surge that are ongoing across the country.

Noem said DHS is investigating the shooting “just like all other officer-involved shootings” and that additional details will be released as the investigation continues.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment in response to Noem’s remarks.