Former U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger, who also used to serve in the Air Force, strongly criticized conservative figures who defended the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. Kinzinger was responding to Marc Thiessen, a Fox News commentator who tried to justify what the agents did because Pretti was armed and resisting arrest.
Kinzinger’s reply was harsh. He wrote on X, “You’re kidding me right? The second amendment doesn’t care that he has extra ammo. The second amendment doesn’t care that he was protesting. The second amendment doesn’t care about your deep desire to date Donald.”
The Trump administration has defended the shooting mainly by pointing out that Pretti was carrying a gun during the incident. According to Vox, Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino said that while federal officials respect Second Amendment rights, “those rights don’t count when you riot and assault, delay, obstruct and impede law enforcement officers.” FBI Director Kash Patel added, “You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines, to any sort of protest that you want.”
The administration’s defense contradicts long-held conservative gun rights principles
This defense has major problems. Video evidence shows that federal agents actually took Pretti’s gun away before they killed him. More importantly, this position goes against decades of conservative belief that citizens have a clear right to openly carry weapons, even at protests.
The administration isn’t just trying to protect the agents. They are going against one of the main beliefs of the movement they claim to lead. This creates a huge contradiction that hurts their credibility. Other groups have also stepped up to protect immigrants from federal enforcement.
You’re kidding me right?
— Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini)
The second amendment doesn’t care that he has extra ammo. The second amendment doesn’t care that he was protesting. The second amendment doesn’t care about your deep desire to date Donald https://t.co/J6bmFAKMx3(@AdamKinzinger) January 25, 2026
What’s really surprising is how many long-time conservative commentators have accepted this anti-gun-rights argument. Conservative commentator Erick Erickson, who has criticized the NRA for being too weak on gun issues, essentially blamed Pretti’s death on his choice to carry a weapon. Erickson wrote, “I think you, when engaging in obstruction with federal agents, can get hurt. When armed, things can go wrong.”
Dana Loesch, one of the country’s most famous gun rights supporters, took a similar view. She argued that blocking a law enforcement operation is illegal, and “It’s made even worse if you do it while you are armed. Pretti made the choice to disrupt a federal operation, which set off a chain reaction of tragic events.”
An armed leftist went out with a gun to deliberately interfere with legitimate law enforcement operations, and I’m seeing some “conservatives” on this site claim that it might be ICE’s fault that the guy is now dead. Insane. Some of you people will never fucking learn.
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) January 25, 2026
Far-right podcaster Matt Walsh, who previously called gun-carrying teen Kyle Rittenhouse a “hero,” had the most aggressive stance. Walsh attacked any conservative who dared to criticize the federal agents. He posted on X that he was seeing some “conservatives” claim that it might be the agents’ fault that Pretti is dead. He added, “Insane. Some of you people will never f—ing learn.”
This is especially notable since Pretti was legally allowed to carry in Minnesota, amid ongoing debates about who can legally purchase firearms. Even official gun rights groups are pushing back against the administration’s position. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus released a statement defending Pretti’s actions, saying, “Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms; including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights.”
