On January 24, 2026, a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis ended tragically with the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen. The incident immediately became the subject of national media attention and political commentary.
Instead of waiting for facts or exercising restraint, Holly Kim, the elected Treasurer of Lake County, Illinois, chose to inject partisan politics into the situation. In a video posted to her Facebook page, Kim blamed "MAGA and Republicans" for the actions of a single individual who voluntarily inserted himself into an active federal law enforcement operation. The video can be viewed here:
That claim is not only misleading. It is dangerous.
What Actually Happened
Federal agents were conducting a lawful, targeted enforcement operation. This was not a random encounter. It was not a raid on innocent bystanders. It was a federal action carried out under lawful authority by trained officers.
During that operation, Alex Pretti voluntarily inserted himself into the situation. He was not the target of the arrest. He was not required to be there. He was not acting in any official capacity.
According to statements from federal officials, Pretti approached agents while armed during an active arrest. At some point, he was recording with his cell phone. That detail has been repeatedly emphasized by activists as if it changes the core issue. It does not.
Recording on a phone does not make an armed confrontation safe.
Holding a phone does not cancel the presence of a weapon.
Approaching armed officers in the middle of an arrest while armed yourself is inherently dangerous.
Agents attempted to disarm Pretti. A physical struggle followed. He did not disengage. He did not comply. He resisted while armed. At that point, agents acted to protect their lives.
That is not an execution.
That is not murder.
That is not police brutality.
That is a lawful response to a perceived deadly threat.
The Law Is Clear
Under established self-defense law, officers do not need to personally verify every threat during a violent encounter. They are permitted to rely on reasonable perceptions shared among officers on the scene. When an armed individual interferes in a lawful arrest and resists disarmament, the legal standard is straightforward: reasonable belief of imminent deadly force.
The law does not require officers to wait to be shot.
It does not require hesitation to satisfy activists after the fact.
And it does not require officers to gamble with their lives.
Holly Kim's Claim Is Not Just Wrong. It Is Reckless.
Treasurer Kim has suggested that it is somehow "not normal" for law enforcement to defend themselves when confronted by an armed aggressor interfering in a lawful arrest. That statement should alarm every resident of Lake County.
Is she seriously arguing that officers should not protect themselves under those circumstances?
Is she suggesting that armed interference in an arrest should be tolerated?
Is she prepared to say that police officers should stand down and risk their lives?
If so, she should go on the record and say it plainly.
Approaching law enforcement while armed is not normal behavior. It is reckless, dangerous, and it predictably leads to tragic outcomes. That reality has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with public safety.
Blaming Republicans or "MAGA" voters for this incident is an attempt to deflect responsibility and inflame division rather than confront the facts.
Leadership Requires Judgment, Not Finger-Pointing
Lake County residents deserve elected officials who understand the seriousness of their words. Public commentary from someone holding countywide office should be measured, factual, and responsible.
Using a tragedy to smear political opponents is not leadership.
Misrepresenting lawful self-defense as something abnormal is not leadership.
And suggesting that individual actions represent millions of Americans is not leadership.
If Treasurer Kim wishes to have a serious discussion about law enforcement policy, she should engage honestly and responsibly. If she believes it is acceptable to confront officers while armed during an arrest, she should state that position clearly and publicly.
Conclusion
The Antioch Republicans stand firmly for law and order, individual accountability, and truthful public discourse. We reject the idea that federal officers should be vilified for defending themselves, and we reject attempts to blame political movements for the independent actions of one individual.
Public officials should lead with facts, not ideology.
They should calm tensions, not inflame them.
And they should never suggest that defending oneself from an armed threat is "not normal."
— Michael "Mickey" Scornavacco
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