Minneapolis has become the center of a heated controversy as a self-described Antifa member stirs tensions over immigration enforcement.
Kyle Wagner, a Minneapolis resident identifying as an Antifa activist, posted videos urging armed individuals to confront immigration officials following the death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a VA hospital, who was killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on Saturday.
After facing significant backlash, Wagner deleted his remaining social media accounts on Monday afternoon and claimed he is now evading scrutiny. The incident has drawn criticism from local figures and raised questions about the circumstances of Pretti’s shooting, which is under review by federal authorities.
The issue has sparked intense debate over the role of activism and public safety in Minneapolis, especially amid recent tensions surrounding federal immigration policies.
Wagner’s initial video, posted after Pretti’s death, called for direct confrontation with immigration officials, framing it as a necessary stand against perceived injustice, Fox News reported.
His rhetoric, urging “boots on the ground” with armed support, quickly drew ire from many who saw it as a dangerous escalation. While Wagner may believe he’s protecting the vulnerable, such calls risk turning protests into volatile standoffs that endanger everyone involved.
Following the backlash, Wagner posted a follow-up video, claiming, “they’re going to silence me,” and stating he’s now on the run. That kind of dramatic language might play well to a certain crowd, but it sidesteps accountability for the potential consequences of his words.
Pretti’s death, which occurred while he was recording federal officers on a Minneapolis street, has become a flashpoint in this story. Federal officials initially reported that Pretti approached agents with a handgun and resisted disarmament, but eyewitness accounts and bystander footage have cast doubt on this narrative.
President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that his administration is thoroughly reviewing the incident. Such scrutiny is essential when trust in federal actions is already strained, and clarity must be the priority.
Until the facts are fully established, jumping to conclusions serves no one—yet the tragedy of an ICU nurse losing his life demands answers, not rhetoric.
Wagner, in a second video, doubled down by saying, “I don’t understand how you’re struggling to follow that they’re gonna keep killing us if we don’t end this.” That kind of absolutist language paints a grim picture, but it ignores the complexity of law enforcement interactions and the need for measured responses.
Local critic Shawn Holster, former chair of the Minneapolis GOP, didn’t hold back, arguing that Wagner’s actions reflect a broader problem of attention-seeking activists in the city. Holster believes these so-called influencers are fueling 80% of the tensions in Minneapolis, a claim that rings true when public safety is repeatedly put at risk by reckless posturing.
Holster’s point isn’t just about Wagner—it’s about a culture where viral outrage often trumps constructive dialogue, and that’s a problem worth addressing.
The backdrop to Wagner’s actions is a series of tragic encounters, including the deaths of Pretti and another activist, Renee Nicole Good, at the hands of federal immigration agents this month. These incidents have heightened scrutiny of enforcement tactics, and disputed accounts only deepen public mistrust.
While Wagner’s response may come from a place of frustration, encouraging armed confrontations is a step too far, undermining any legitimate critique of policy. Immigration enforcement is a deeply divisive issue, but solutions must come through accountability and reform, not street battles egged on by social media.
The real challenge lies in balancing border security with humane treatment—a debate that deserves serious discussion, not inflammatory videos that could spark violence.
