Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by David Leftwich

Rev. Prof. Matthew J. M. Coomber

@mjmcoomber.bsky.social

My friend Sara posted this about the superb care her father received from with Alex Pretti

Absolutely heartbreaking

Photos of Alex Pretti with Sara’s caption:

On August 16th at approximately 10:00 pm
I received a call from the ICU at the VA saying my Dad had sepsis and needed to be intubated to stay alive so Josh and I headed in. We were greeted by the kindest, most calming and warm soul who helped us understand what was happening and showed deep care for us and my Dad. He continued to show utmost patience and kindness over the next few days as my Dad remained in the ICU and we were there continually. It was Alex Pretti, the man shot today by ICE. If you see this video and don't think it's murder, I don't understand your thinking and ask you to question your heart. He was out there trying to help and protect and from the little we knew of him, it doesn't surprise me he was not afraid to be on the front lines of this horrible scene in our Minneapolis. Weeping for his family and all those at the VA who no longer get to work with him or receive his care.

January 25, 2026 at 4:19 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Tom Joscelyn

@tomjoscelyn.bsky.social

The Trump regime is smearing this man - Alex Pretti - as a “domestic terrorist.” We can’t let them get away with it.

Alex Pretti was a patriotic American - far more so than the ICE agent who murdered him on the streets of Minneapolis today. Far more so than Trump, Stephen Miller, or any of them.

Aaron Stewart-Ahn @badideas.bsky.social · 20h

A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.

January 25, 2026 at 1:54 AM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

"I insisted that the agents let me assess him. Normally, I would not have been so persistent, but as a physician, I felt a professional and moral obligation to help this man, especially since none of the agents were helping him."

Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 20h

BREAKING: A young doctor who lives near where Alex Pretti, a nurse, was killed by ICE says in a declaration he saw the shooting, went out to help, was not let through at first then patted down before being let by, and was apparently the first to try and provide any medical assistance to Pretti.

1. 1 am a 29-year-old resident of the
lin Minneapolis,
Minnesota. I have lived in Minneapolis since 2024, when I moved to the
city to begin my medical residency. I am a licensed pediatrician, and I have
been practicing pediatric medicine in the city since I moved here.
2. On January 24, 2026, at approximately 9:00 am CST, I was awoken by the sound of cars honking and whistles blowing. Shortly after I awoke, I heard
screaming from outside my window. I
saw several
ICE agents and civilians yelling at each other.
3. One civilian was standing in front of a parked car on the side of the road.
I saw him yelling at the ICE agents, but I did not see him attack the agents
or brandish a weapon of any kind
4. Suddenly, an ICE agent shoved him to the ground. My view of the altercation was partially obstructed, but after a few seconds, I saw at least
four ICE agents point guns at the man. I then saw the agents shoot the man
at least six or seven times.
5. Initially, I was stunned. From what I could see from my apartment, there was absolutely no need for any violence, let alone lethal force by multiple officers. I immediately put on my boots and coat, ran outside, and
approached ICE agents who were near the victim.

6. The scene was chaotic. Many civilians were screaming and honking. Over the noise, I informed the ICE agents that I am a physician, and I asked to assess the victim.
7. At first, the ICE agents wouldn't let me through. They repeatedly asked me for my physician's license, which I obviously didn't have. But none of the ICE agents who were near the victim were performing CPR, and I could tell that the victim was in critical condition. I insisted that the agents let me
assess him. Normally, I would not have been so persistent, but as a physician, I felt a professional and moral obligation to help this man, especially since none of the agents were helping him.
8. Finally, one agent agreed to let me assess the victim. He patted me down
to "make sure I didn't have a weapon" and then let me approach the victim.
9. As I approached, I saw that the victim was lying on his side and was
surrounded by several ICE agents. I was confused as to why the victim was
on his side, because that is not standard practice when a victim has been
shot. Checking for a pulse and administering CPR is standard practice.
Instead of doing either of those things, the ICE agents appeared to be counting his bullet wounds.
10.1 asked the ICE agents if the victim had a pulse, and they said they did not know. I then asked the agents to make space so I could assess the victim.

11. The victim had at least three bullet wounds in his back. I asked the ICE agents to turn the victim from his side to his back. From that position, I saw an additional gunshot wound on the victim's upper left chest and
another possible gunshot wound on his neck.
12. I checked for a pulse, but I did not feel one. I immediately began CPR.
Shortly after I started compressions, EMS personnel arrived and took over.
13.1 remained at the scene for about five more minutes, but protesters began to gather and the situation seemed to be escalating, so I left and returned
to my apartment.
14. When I returned to my apartment, I was extremely distraught. I was
sobbing and shaking uncontrollably. Eventually, I called my sister, who
lives in a nearby suburb. I called her for comfort and because I did not feel
safe in my apartment; I wanted to see if I could stay with her for the day
and maybe even a few days.
15.1 also sought advice from a friend who works for the City of Minneapolis.
He recommended that I shelter in place because the situation outside my
apartment was so dangerous. I was going to follow his advice, but then
ICE agents deployed tear gas on the crowd that had gathered below, and
the tear gas began seeping into my apartment.

January 25, 2026 at 2:01 AM

Reposted by David Leftwich

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

Videos verified by The New York Times show Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the man federal agents shot and killed in Minneapolis on Saturday, was holding a phone, not a gun, when the agents took him to the ground and shot him. In total, at least 10 shots appear to have been fired within five seconds.

Videos Show Moments in Which Agents Killed a Man in Minneapolis

Federal authorities said the slain man, Alex Pretti, had approached agents with a gun. But videos show Mr. Pretti was holding his phone, not a weapon, when they pulled him to the ground.

nyti.ms

January 25, 2026 at 12:05 AM

David Leftwich

@davidleftwich.bsky.social

VA ICU nurses like Alex Pretti, saved the life of my stepdad, a Vietnam Vet, when he had COVID. Pretti, like so many ICE has killed, injured, attacked, and detained, did (and do) more positive things for society than anyone in the Trump administration.

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 23h

“.. He cared about people deeply ..,” said Michael Pretti, Alex’s father. “He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong ..”

@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...

January 25, 2026 at 12:13 AM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Aaron Rupar

@atrupar.com

AOC: "An ICE officer had violently pushed a woman to the ground and he had come over to help get her up and that is what precipitated this incident that very quickly led to an execution in the streets. What we are seeing here is a momentous pivotal moment for the United States."

January 24, 2026 at 10:25 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Aaron Rupar

@atrupar.com

Minneapolis Police Chief O'Hara: "The video speaks for itself. We have identified this person - 37-year-old, white male, resident of the city. The only interaction that we are aware of with law enforcement has been for traffic tickets and we believe he is a lawfully gun owner with a permit to carry"

January 24, 2026 at 6:09 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Radley Balko

@radleybalko.bsky.social

Why are they sending witnesses to Whipple?

WHY ARE THEY SENDING WITNESSES TO WHIPPLE?

Matt McDermott @mattmfm.bsky.social · 1d

ICE attempted to order local police from the scene of the Minneapolis shooting, but the police chief refused and instructed his officers to preserve the crime scene.

www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...

January 24, 2026 at 5:38 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Aaron Rupar

@atrupar.com

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: "I just saw a video of more than 6 masked agents pummeling one of our constituents and shooting him to death. How many more residents, how many more Americans need to die or get badly hurt for this operation to end?"

January 24, 2026 at 5:59 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Osita Nwanevu

@ositanwanevu.com

We have been told for nearly 30 years that America needed to tolerate mass shootings because the broad availability of guns would help us defend ourselves from an overreaching federal government. That day has come. The people who said this are supporting the federal agents. Many have joined them.

January 24, 2026 at 6:02 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Nick Kristof

@nickkristof.bsky.social

This extraordinary photo captures federal immigration agents immobilizing a protester on the ground and spraying chemical irritant into his face. It runs on the front page of tonight's Minneapolis @startribune.com. It reminds me of the brutality used against civil rights protesters in the 1960s.

January 23, 2026 at 12:47 AM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Charles Johnson

@charles.littlegreenfootballs.com

The most disastrous data theft in US history. Nobody should be surprised that these criminals are selling the data to election deniers and scammers.

“Waste, fraud, and abuse” was always a lie, but it got them into position to steal everything.

Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 5d

NEWS: The Social Security Administration has referred two DOGE employees for Hatch Act violations after discovering contacts with a political group seeking SSA data to overturn election results. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...

January 20, 2026 at 7:06 PM

David Leftwich

@davidleftwich.bsky.social

A wonderful short documentary on artist Ruth Asawa! youtu.be/kOZC9X97-fQ?...

Ruth Asawa: documentary on an artist who worked every minute | HOW TO SEE

YouTube video by The Museum of Modern Art

youtu.be

January 17, 2026 at 9:14 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Aaron Rupar

@atrupar.com

The entry to the Mexican restaurant (Don Julio) in my hometown of Forest Lake MN that closed as a result of ICE has become a shrine. Two-thirds of voters in Forest Lake supported Trump in 2024.

January 16, 2026 at 7:05 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Judd Legum

@juddlegum.bsky.social

This is insanity. They are being investigated for *making statements* critical of ICE.

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

January 17, 2026 at 3:50 AM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Governor Tim Walz

@governorwalz.mn.gov

Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.

The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 8d

Breaking news: The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation alleging that they are impeding federal law enforcement officers’ abilities to do their jobs in the state.

Justice Dept. launches criminal investigation of Minnesota governor

The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation into impeding law enforcement.

www.washingtonpost.com

January 16, 2026 at 11:46 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Kevin M. Kruse

@kevinmkruse.bsky.social

I genuinely don't understood how America took the emoluments clause -- the common-sense bar on a president using his powers to line his own pockets, a law children can understand -- and just said, nah, that doesn't apply for our Very Special Boy.

Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 8d

He’s turned the presidency into the world’s largest ATM machine.

January 17, 2026 at 1:26 AM

David Leftwich

@davidleftwich.bsky.social

Are we great yet?
Conservatives’s attacks on universities, research funding, and primary school education are only going to make this worse. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...

Chinese Universities Surge in Global Rankings as U.S. Schools Slip

www.nytimes.com

January 15, 2026 at 1:57 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Bryan Edward Stone (שָׁלוֹם)

@bestonetx.bsky.social

Republicans are destroying everything that matters because they think wokeness exists.

Texas Observer @texasobserver.org · 12d

Earlier: “The immediate economic losses projected here are just the tip of the iceberg. International students drive innovation, advance America’s global competitiveness, and create research and academic opportunities in our local colleges that will benefit our country for generations.”

The High Cost of Targeting International Students in Texas

The Trump administration’s bans and airport detentions are derailing the academic dreams of students who carry out important research—and sometimes pay hefty tuition—to attend Texas institutions.

www.texasobserver.org

January 13, 2026 at 9:49 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Prem Thakker ツ

@premthakker.bsky.social

Sorry, what? The federal “investigation” into ICE’s killing of an American is investigating the *victim*?

January 13, 2026 at 2:48 AM

Reposted by David Leftwich

emptywheel

@emptywheel.bsky.social

Original sane washed edition, left, transcript which reveals it is even more a confession of psychological illness than NYT tried to sane wash, right.

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...

“Ownership is very important,” Mr. Trump said as he discussed, with a real estate mogul’s eye, the landmass of Greenland — three times the size of Texas but with a population of less than 60,000. He seemed to dismiss the value of having Greenland under the control of a close NATO ally.

When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success. I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do, whether you’re talking about a lease or a treaty. Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document.”

The conversation made clear that in Mr. Trump’s view, sovereignty and national borders are less important than the singular role the United States plays as the protector of the West.

David E. Sanger

Why is ownership important here?

President Trump

Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success. I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do, whether you’re talking about a lease or a treaty. Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document, that you can have a base.

David E. Sanger

So you’re going to ask them to buy it?

Katie Rogers

Psychologically important to you or to the United States?

President Trump

Psychologically important for me. Now, maybe another president would feel differently, but so far I’ve been right about everything.

January 12, 2026 at 4:58 PM

Reposted by David Leftwich

Hunter Walker

@hunterw.bsky.social

"At least five Native American men have been detained by ICE around Minneapolis following significant immigration raids." ictnews.org/news/i-felt-...

‘I felt like I was kidnapped’: Ojibwe man recounts ICE detainment - ICT

At least five Native American men have been detained by ICE around Minneapolis following significant immigration raids

ictnews.org

January 11, 2026 at 5:25 AM

Reposted by David Leftwich

MeidasTouch

@meidastouch.com

SHOCK CELL PHONE VIDEO: Renee Good's final words to her murderer: “That’s fine dude, I’m not mad at you.”

ICE agent Jonathan Ross after shooting and killing her seconds later: “Fuckin’ bitch.”

Via Alpha News