My social media has been awash with righteously indignant people, including the normal suspects, e.g. anti-Trumpers, but also some of those that aren’t, angry over the recent (in their view) over reach by authorities, e.g. ICE and those who give them their orders, that among other things have resulted in the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Then there are those who see things differently, who note that these deaths occurred in Minnesota, where another set of authorities, egged on by governor Tim Waltz, have partly resisted the lawful duties of agencies such as ICE. While tragic, maybe were preventable if the “actions have consequences” maxim was followed.

There are many memes that have been shared, with powerful and often touching messages, supporting one or other view on what has been happening. Before I talk about the one above that more closely reflects how I see things, this is what AI tells me (I should add AI was more veered toward to the views of those who objected than those who didn’t and was somewhat silent on the arguably related corruption and fraud that is in the process of being exposed in Minnesota as a result of DOGE and DEI investigations):  

“ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has been involved in several high-profile incidents in Minnesota recently. A judge has ordered the acting ICE director, Todd Lyons, to appear in court over the agency’s handling of immigrant detainees, citing “extraordinary” violations of court orders. This comes amid protests and controversy surrounding ICE’s enforcement actions in the state, including the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a US citizen, by federal agents.

Key Developments:

– Protests and Arrests: Demonstrators have been arrested outside hotels believed to house ICE agents, with some incidents turning violent.

– Immigration Crackdown: The Trump administration has deployed thousands of federal agents to Minnesota, sparking concerns about immigration enforcement and civil rights.

– Ecuadorian Consulate Incident: An ICE agent attempted to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis, prompting a diplomatic protest.

Senator Amy Klobuchar has urged federal officials to withdraw ICE agents from Minnesota, saying the operation has gone beyond its original intent.

Renee Good and Alex Pretti were two individuals who lost their lives in separate incidents involving US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in January 2026.

Renee Good’s Death

Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026, during an ICE raid in southern Minnesota. Good was in her car when Ross shot her at least twice, including once in the face, as she attempted to drive away from the agents. The shooting sparked widespread protests and outrage, with many questioning the use of deadly force.

Alex Pretti’s Death

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was shot and killed by US Border Patrol agents on January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. Pretti was participating in protests against Good’s killing and was directing traffic when he was shot multiple times by agents. Witnesses and video footage contradict the agents’ claim that Pretti was armed, showing he was holding a phone and trying to protect a woman who had been pushed to the ground.

Both incidents have sparked intense debate and protests, with many calling for accountability and changes to immigration enforcement policies.”

The first thing to say is that the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which I mourn, were tragic. The second thing is that having followed varying attempts at presenting the facts and giving views on the rights and wrongs of ICE’s actions, including their attempts to apprehend illegal immigrants that led to the protests and then to the deaths, I do not have a fully rounded view but do recognise there are factors suggesting this was a preventable tragedy if the powers that be hadn’t stirred up the protests and if the protestors had confined their efforts to peaceful. I also note the anger, not just on the part of the decent folk who vent it on Facebook etc., but protests all over America and condemnation from across the world.  

The reason for ICE is to uphold the law and whether the people that are to be deported are criminals beyond that of illegally entering the USA or simply looking for a better life, away from what they had experienced in their country of origin, I cannot say. That the Biden administration and those states where ICE agents have been most resisted have either allowed illegal immigration or are now supporting it is a significant confounding factor. I also wonder if the protests, riots, opposition and hysteria that we are seeing is in part at least a smokescreen to turn people’s away from the corruption that being exposed in the very states where ICE is resisted, such as Minnesota, by recent DOGE/DEI investigations, to targeting the wrong set of villains ahead of those perpetrating monumental fraud.

And no, I am not giving a green light to Trump. His plans for Gaza and his lack of decent response to the actions of the ISIS led Syrian authorities for their genocide toward the Kurds seem to me as being wrong. I see yet another cause for concern: we are going to see more civil unrest amidst ongoing momentous events on the world stage, including a global financial collapse, plus the spirit of lawlessness, deception and Antichrist that is so evidently in operation in these days, along with all sorts of individuals and organizations that are offering false hope. I will continue to urge folk to test and weigh, watch and pray, trust and obey (the Lord) and turn to Psalm 2 for hope, wisdom, guidance and comfort in these unsettling days.