Pressure is mounting on the Trump administration to launch a comprehensive investigation into the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and demands for accountability from across the political spectrum.
Obamas Describe Killing as a 'Heartbreaking Tragedy'
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have issued a powerful statement, labelling Pretti's death as "a heartbreaking tragedy" and "a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault." They have accused federal agents of not operating in a lawful manner during the encounter.
Video Analysis Fuels Demands for Transparency
Calls for an independent inquiry have intensified following video analysis which reportedly shows officers removing a handgun from Pretti that he was legally permitted to carry and was not handling at the time he was fatally shot on Saturday. Despite this evidence, Trump administration officials are alleged to be continuing to disseminate misleading information about the events.
Legal Challenge to Immigration Enforcement Operation
In a related development, a federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments today on whether to halt the often controversial immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota. This operation has now been linked to the killings of two 37-year-old US citizens by government officers in less than a month, raising serious questions about its conduct and oversight.
FBI Supervisor Resigns Amid Internal Tensions
Further complicating the situation, reports indicate that a supervisor in the FBI's Minneapolis field office, who had sought to investigate the ICE agent responsible for a separate fatal shooting in the city on 7 January, has resigned. This suggests significant internal discord within federal law enforcement agencies regarding accountability procedures.
Winter Storm Claims Lives and Causes Widespread Disruption
In other national news, a powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has left at least seven people dead and caused extensive disruption. More than one million residents in southern states were left without power, and over ten thousand flights were cancelled as heavy snow and ice affected regions from the Gulf Coast to the north-east.
Federal Emergency Declarations Approved
In response to the severe weather, President Trump approved federal emergency disaster declarations for multiple states including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia. The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed two storm-related deaths in Caddo Parish, while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported at least five fatalities found outdoors before the snowfall began.
Israel Agrees to Limited Reopening of Rafah Crossing
On the international stage, Israel has announced a large-scale military operation to locate the body of the remaining hostage, Ran Gvili, in Gaza. The government stated that the vital Rafah crossing with Egypt would only be reopened once this mission is completed, a condition seen as the final obstacle to beginning the second phase of a US-brokered ceasefire.
Hamas Accuses Israel of Obstruction
Hamas has issued a statement claiming it has provided all available information regarding Gvili's remains and has accused Israel of obstructing search efforts in areas of Gaza under Israeli military control. The border crossing was originally slated to open during the initial phase of a peace plan last October.
Gold Prices Surge Amid Political Uncertainty
In financial markets, gold has surpassed $5,000 an ounce for the first time in history, with prices reaching a record high of $5,100 before settling at $5,089. Analysts attribute this surge to investors seeking a safe haven from the market volatility and political turmoil associated with the Trump administration's policies.
Medical Professionals Resist 'Guerrilla War on Science'
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is emerging as a leading voice in opposition to what it describes as the Trump administration's "guerrilla war on science." As some medical groups yield to political pressure, this non-partisan organisation is taking a firm stand, particularly on issues related to pregnancy, childbirth, and gender-affirming care.
Authoritarian Fears and Foreign Policy Concerns
Prominent voices, including novelist and critic Francine Prose, have expressed profound concerns that the United States is "on the brink of an authoritarian takeover." Simultaneously, public opinion remains divided on President Trump's foreign policy interventions, including calls for the US to take control of Greenland and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Climate Science Dispute Amid Severe Weather
President Trump has erroneously cited the recent winter storm as supposed evidence against climate change. However, scientists clarify that the storm is fueled by a weakened polar vortex—a phenomenon linked to rapid Arctic warming—and emphasise that long-term data shows US winters are, on average, becoming warmer.
Nutrition Experts Debunk 'Parasite Cleanse' Trends
Finally, health experts are urging caution against popular social media trends promoting expensive "parasite cleanses." Caroline Susie, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, states unequivocally that such cleanses are unnecessary for the general public, noting that parasitic infections are primarily concentrated in communities lacking access to clean water and sanitation.
