‘I’m Against the Violence’: Melania Trump Breaks Silence After Second US Citizen Killed by Federal Agents in Minnesota

Amid the smoke and shouting of a city on the brink, a surprising voice has emerged from the White House to appeal for calm.

While Minneapolis remains a powder keg following the fatal shooting of a local nurse by federal agents—the second such killing in three weeks – First Lady Melania Trump stepped into the fray on Tuesday morning with a rare public plea, urging protesters to “unify” just as her husband’s administration executes a major leadership shakeup on the ground.

At a Glance: The First Lady’s Intervention

• The Message: In an exclusive interview on Fox & Friends, Melania Trump called for “unity” and urged anti-ICE demonstrators to “protest in peace.”
• The Trigger: Her comments follow the January 24 shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.
• The Shakeup: President Trump is dispatching “Border Czar” Tom Homan to Minnesota to replace the controversial commander Gregory Bovino.
• The Diplomacy: Despite previous harsh rhetoric, President Trump reportedly held “productive” calls with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
• The Contrast: Melania’s softer tone stands in stark contrast to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who recently labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist.”

‘I’m Against the Violence’

The First Lady’s appearance on Fox & Friends marked a significant tonal shift for a White House that has largely met the Minneapolis unrest with aggressive force. While administration officials like Stephen Miller have used terms like “insurrection,” Melania Trump focused on de-escalation.

“We need to unify. I’m calling for unity… I know my husband, the president, had a great call yesterday with the governor and the mayor, and they’re working together to make it peaceful and without riots. I’m against the violence, so please, if you protest, protest in peace.” — Melania Trump

Her comments appear to be part of a broader strategy to lower the temperature. Just 24 hours earlier, President Trump revealed he had “very good” conversations with Governor Walz and Mayor Frey—two Democrats he had previously blasted as “fools”—signaling a potential pivot toward cooperation as the situation on the ground deteriorates.

The Death of Alex Pretti

The urgency of the First Lady’s message is driven by the explosive reaction to the death of Alex Pretti.

Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse who cared for veterans at the Minneapolis VA, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents on Saturday. The official DHS narrative paints Pretti as a “would-be assassin” who approached officers with a 9mm handgun and “violently resisted.”

However, bystander video and witness testimony tell a conflicting story. Footage appears to show Pretti holding a cellphone, not a gun, and attempting to help a woman who had been shoved by agents. Witnesses claim he was pepper-sprayed and tackled before being shot while pinned to the ground.

Pretti is the second U.S. citizen killed by federal agents in the city this month, following the January 7 shooting of Renee Good. The successive deaths have turned Minneapolis into the epicenter of the national debate over “Operation Metro Surge.”

Homan In, Bovino Out

While Melania calls for peace, the President is making tactical moves. The administration confirmed Tuesday that Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who became the face of the aggressive crackdown, is being removed from his post in Minneapolis.

Bovino had drawn intense criticism for his combative defense of agents’ tactics. He is being replaced by Tom Homan, the President’s “Border Czar” and hardline architect of immigration policy. Homan’s arrival suggests that while the rhetoric may be softening, the enforcement mission remains a top priority.

Governor Walz’s office stated that Homan has agreed to look into “reducing the number of federal agents” and working in a “more coordinated fashion,” a concession that might not have happened without the intense pressure from the streets.

A Tale of Two Responses

The First Lady’s call for unity also serves as a counter-narrative to former President Joe Biden, who weighed in on Monday. Biden framed the protests as a moral reckoning, praising Minnesotans for “speaking out against injustice” and holding the government accountable.

By stepping forward now, Melania Trump attempts to reclaim the moral high ground for the administration, casting the White House as a peacemaker in a conflict that shows no signs of burning out.