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CNN Legal Analyst Points Out ‘Irregularities’ In Investigation Into Shooting Of Alex Pretti

CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig laid out several "irregularities" into the investigation surrounding the Border Patrol-related shooting of anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protester Alex Pretti.

CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig laid out several “irregularities” into the investigation surrounding the Border Patrol-related shooting of anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protester Alex Pretti.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is leading an investigation into the shooting of Pretti, who died on Saturday after getting shot by a Border Patrol agent during a protest. Honig stated that ordinarily the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) would take charge of such an investigation.

“So, there are a lot of red flags here that I want to make sure people understand,” Honig said. “Ordinarily, when you have a fatal use of force by a police officer, the federal investigation is run by the FBI, which is over in the Justice Department, along with prosecutors at the Justice Department from the Civil Rights Division, from the Public Integrity Division. You loop in the state as well. But DHS, and this is irregularity number one, DHS does not usually run these investigations.”

“They don’t have the expertise in these investigations. Irregularity number two, it’s an in-house investigation. The officers who they are investigating are part of DHS,” Honig continued. 

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Honig opposed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s approach to the investigations into the Pretti case and the death of Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE agent on Jan. 7 after hitting him with her car. He said that a criminal investigation is normally opened in these cases and then the DOJ makes a final decision on the matter.

“You are supposed to open a criminal investigation, get the facts, if it’s anywhere close to a potential crime, and then make your decision. But Todd Blanche, days after the Renee Good shooting, said we’re not even opening an investigation at DOJ. And it appears the same is happening here,” Honig continued. 

Tensions have continued to escalate in Minnesota following the deaths of Good and Pretti, prompting widespread riots and protests throughout the state. Democratic officials in Minnesota, including Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have repeatedly called on ICE to leave the state entirely.

Border Patrol commander at large Gregory Bovino, a senior leader, is reportedly leaving Minnesota following Pretti’s death. President Donald Trump sent border czar Tom Homan to the state on Monday to manage ICE operations and coordinate with investigators on “massive, widespread fraud.”