Megyn Kelly Faces Intense Backlash Over Controversial Remarks About Border Patrol Shooting Victim
Television host Megyn Kelly has ignited a firestorm of criticism following her comments about Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old American citizen who was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis over the weekend. The incident has raised serious questions about law enforcement procedures and public response to such tragedies.
The Fatal Encounter and Kelly's Initial Response
According to reports from the Associated Press and local Minnesota news outlets, Pretti, who worked as an ICU nurse, was shot by Border Patrol officers on Saturday after being restrained on the ground. While authorities confirmed that Pretti was legally carrying a firearm, they emphasized that he never drew the weapon during the confrontation.
Despite these details, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement claiming that Pretti "wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement." This characterization has added another layer of complexity to an already contentious situation.
Kelly initially dismissed the incident over the weekend before elaborating on her position during Monday's episode of her SiriusXM podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show. Her comments have since become the focal point of intense public debate.
Kelly's Controversial Justification
"I know I'm supposed to feel sorry for Alex Pretti, but I don't. Do you know why I wasn't shot by Border Patrol this weekend? Because I kept my a** inside and out of their operations," Kelly stated bluntly on her program.
She continued to develop her argument, suggesting that protests and direct confrontations with law enforcement inevitably escalate volatile situations. "It's very simple. If I felt strongly enough about something the government was doing, I would go out and protest," Kelly explained. "I would do it peacefully, on the sidewalk, without interfering — not with a whistle, not with shouting, not with my body, not in any other way."
Kelly emphasized what she sees as a clear boundary: "I would make my objections known without interfering, because interfering is where you go south."
Legal Warnings and Risk Assessment
The media personality further cautioned her audience about the legal consequences of physical interaction with law enforcement officials. "Laying hands on a police officer, a Border Patrol officer, or an ICE officer who is trying to conduct a law enforcement operation is a felony, and you are going to get arrested," she warned.
While acknowledging that resistance does not automatically justify the use of lethal force, Kelly argued that such actions significantly increase the inherent danger of any encounter. "That doesn't give them the 'right to shoot you,' but it amps up the situation and the danger such that they may reasonably fear for their safety," she contended.
Kelly offered her interpretation of Pretti's intentions during the fatal incident: "He was not there to help. He was not there to assist law enforcement or make things easier for them. He was there with a loaded gun, looking to cause trouble for Border Patrol agents — and that trouble came back on him."
Cross-Political Condemnation and Religious Rebukes
Kelly's remarks have drawn sharp criticism from commentators across the political spectrum, creating rare bipartisan agreement in their disapproval of her stance.
Former Republican National Committee chairman and current MSNBC host Michael Steele responded with a pointed biblical reference. "You chose to be cruel instead of compassionate; to be evil in spirit instead of empathetic; to ignore what God asks us to do— 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,'" Steele wrote, citing Matthew 22:39. He added a personal challenge to Kelly: "Perhaps Megyn you don't feel anything for Alex because you don't feel anything for yourself."
Brett Meiselas, co-founder of MeidasTouch, also invoked religious principles in his criticism. "You can tell these people aren't actually religious because if they were they'd actually be worried about going to hell," Meiselas stated. This comment appeared particularly pointed given Kelly's public identification as a lifelong Catholic who recently disclosed experiencing a "crisis of faith" in 2024.
Contrasting Reactions and Calls for Transparency
Democratic commentator Harry Sisson highlighted what he perceived as hypocrisy in Kelly's selective empathy. "If someone said they don't feel sorry for Charlie Kirk she would lose it but if it's an ICU nurse who did nothing wrong then it's OK, according to Megyn. Nice!" he wrote, drawing attention to potential double standards in public commentary.
The shooting death of Alex Pretti remains under active investigation, with civil rights organizations and elected officials increasingly demanding greater transparency regarding the use of force by federal agents. This tragic incident has sparked broader conversations about police-community relations, appropriate protest methods, and the responsibilities of public figures when commenting on sensitive matters involving loss of life.
As the investigation continues and public debate intensifies, Kelly's comments have positioned her at the center of a national conversation about empathy, accountability, and the complex dynamics between citizens and law enforcement in contemporary America.
