Trump officials stick "terrorist" label on Americans killed by DHS

The Trump administration swiftly labeled a U.S. citizen killed by immigration agents as a "domestic terrorist" before any investigation, mirroring a similar situation from the previous month. This rapid judgment occurred after the January 24th killing of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and follows the killing of Renee Good on January 7th. High-ranking officials, including the Homeland Security Secretary, accused Pretti of terrorism without providing specifics about his alleged ideology. Pretti's parents vehemently denied these claims, asserting their son was unarmed and protecting others during the incident. The administration's definition of domestic terrorism has broadened, potentially including groups like antifa, but experts state no legal authority exists to label a domestic organization as such. Local law enforcement was denied access to the crime scene, even with a warrant, hampering the investigation. The Homeland Security Secretary framed the event as a "violent riot," arguing the officer who fired the fatal shot justifiably feared for his life. This response mirrors the handling of the previous killing, and excluding local investigators raises concerns about accountability. Top Minneapolis and Minnesota officials have been subpoenaed as part of a criminal investigation. The administration emphasizes its established protocols, highlighting an ongoing investigation despite the lack of local involvement.