January 27, 2026 | SUNTV Global | News
Former United States President Joe Biden has strongly condemned the killing of two civilians by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis, describing the incidents as a grave violation of America’s democratic values and calling for full, fair, and transparent investigations.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Biden said the United States “is not a nation that guns down its citizens in the street” or one that allows people to be brutalised for exercising their constitutional rights.
“We are not a nation that tramples the Fourth Amendment or tolerates our neighbours being terrorised,” Biden stated.
The former president praised the resilience of Minnesotans, noting that residents have continued to support one another, speak out against injustice, and demand accountability despite weeks of unrest and grief.
“The people of Minnesota have stood strong — helping community members through unimaginable circumstances, speaking out against injustice when they see it, and holding government accountable,” he said. “They have reminded us what it truly means to be American.”
Biden stressed that violence has no place in the United States, particularly when carried out by government authorities.
“Violence and terror have no place in this country — especially when it’s our own government targeting American citizens,” he warned.
He urged Americans to defend democratic values, insisting that no single individual, including a sitting president, has the power to destroy the nation’s core principles if citizens stand united.
“No single person can destroy what America stands for — not even a president — if we all stand up and speak out,” Biden said.
The former president concluded by offering condolences to the families of the victims.
“Jill and I are sending strength to the families and communities who love Alex Pretti and Renee Good as we mourn their senseless deaths.”
Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and registered nurse widely known for caring for critically ill veterans, was killed during an immigration enforcement operation on Minneapolis’ south side. His death has sparked outrage within the healthcare community and intensified scrutiny of federal law enforcement conduct.
The second victim, Renee Good, 37, was shot on January 7 after an ICE officer fired into her vehicle, an incident that triggered daily protests across the city.
The Minneapolis shootings mark the second fatal ICE-related incident in the city within weeks, deepening public mistrust and fuelling renewed debate over immigration enforcement tactics. In a separate incident last week, federal security operatives also shot a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis.
The killings occurred amid a sustained deployment of immigration and federal agents to the city, as raids intensified under President Donald Trump’s renewed anti-immigration push, drawing sharp criticism from civil rights groups and community leaders.
Protests demanding justice and accountability have continued, with residents calling for an end to what they describe as excessive and militarised enforcement operations.
