By Trendsetter Tribune 
Top immigration officials appeared to distance themselves and their agencies from the White House’s early characterization of Alex Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” during a tense Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
The testimony from acting ICE director Todd Lyons and CBP commissioner Rodney Scott creates a significant contradiction with statements made by senior administration figures just hours after the January 24 shooting in Minneapolis.
Key Testimony: “Not to My Knowledge”
Under questioning from Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), the officials denied providing the initial assessment that led Secretary Kristi Noem and White House advisor Stephen Miller to label the 37-year-old ICU nurse a terrorist.
- No Agency Source: Both Lyons and Scott testified they did not believe—or tell Noem—that Pretti was engaged in domestic terrorism.
- Knowledge Gap: When asked if anyone on his staff had provided that assessment, Scott replied, “Not to my knowledge, sir.”
- Avoidance of Speculation: Both leaders declined to explain why Noem or Miller used such provocative language, with Lyons stating, “I can’t speculate on what someone else would say or why.”
The “Terrorist” Label vs. Video Evidence
The hearing highlighted the stark contrast between the administration’s initial rhetoric and the visual evidence captured by bystanders.
| Official | Initial Claim (Jan 24, 2026) | Contradicting Evidence |
| Stephen Miller | Called Pretti a “domestic terrorist” and an “assassin.” | Bystander video shows Pretti holding a cellphone, not a weapon, during the initial struggle. |
| Kristi Noem | Said Pretti intended to “inflict maximum damage” and “kill law enforcement.” | Videos show agents disarming Pretti of his holstered, legal 9mm handgun before firing 10 rounds at point-blank range. |
| Greg Bovino | Claimed Pretti “approached” and “attacked” agents. | Footage appears to show agents approaching and shoving Pretti first while he was filming them. |
Operation Metro Surge: The Withdrawal Begins
As the Senate investigates the Minneapolis operations, Border Czar Tom Homan announced on Thursday that the administration is ending “Operation Metro Surge.”
- Drawdown: Approximately 700 of the 3,000 federal agents deployed to the Twin Cities have already been withdrawn.
- Transition of Power: Command is being handed back to the local ICE field office, though Homan noted a “small footprint” will remain to oversee the transition.
- Political Fallout: The withdrawal follows a massive general strike in Minnesota and a 43-day government funding impasse driven by Senate Democrats’ demands for ICE and CBP reforms.
Ongoing Investigations
Two separate tracks are currently investigating the death of Alex Pretti:
- DHS Internal Probe: Led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), focusing on whether agents followed standard use-of-force protocols.
- Federal Civil Rights Investigation: Opened by the Department of Justice to determine if Pretti’s constitutional rights were violated.