Trump Contradicts Vance and Miller: “Pretti Was Not an Assassin”

By Lions Roar Aotearoa World News Desk

WASHINGTON D.C. (Wednesday, January 28, 2026) — In a stunning reversal that has sent shockwaves through the West Wing, President Donald Trump has publicly broken ranks with his own Vice President and senior advisors over the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.

While Vice President JD Vance and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller have spent days branding the 37-year-old nurse an “assassin” and a “terrorist,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he does not believe that was the case, calling the event a “very unfortunate incident.”

🏛️ A Divided Administration

The internal rift follows the January 24 shooting of Pretti by a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agent. The administration’s hardliners immediately launched a narrative of attempted murder against federal agents, but the President is now distancing himself from that rhetoric.

The Hardline Stance: Stephen Miller wrote on X that a “would-be assassin tried to murder federal law enforcement,” a claim later amplified by JD Vance and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Trump Pivot: “He was not an assassin,” Trump stated, though he maintained that “you can’t walk in with guns.”
The Backlash: Trump’s shift appears to be a response to widespread public outcry and mounting evidence that contradicts the initial official account.

📹 Video Evidence vs. Official Claims

New details have emerged that suggest the shooting may have been unjustified:

Disarmed Before Death: Video analysis by The Telegraph appears to show federal agents had already wrestled Pretti to the ground and disarmed him before he was shot.
Prior Injury: CNN reported that Pretti had suffered a broken rib just one week prior after a separate altercation with federal agents.
The Victim’s Profile: Pretti was a nurse at a veterans hospital, a detail that has fueled public sympathy and criticism of the CBP’s aggressive tactics.

📊 Fallout: Who’s In and Who’s Out?

The President’s move to rein in hardliners has left several high-profile allies exposed. Speculation is rife regarding a potential “house cleaning” in the administration.

Official	Status	Current Situation
JD Vance	Vice President	Contradicted by Trump after reposting “assassin” claims.
Stephen Miller	Deputy Chief of Staff	Architect of the narrative; now politically isolated.
Gregory Bovino	Border Commander	Recalled from Minnesota by the President.
Tom Homan	“Border Tsar”	Promoted; now reports directly to Trump.
Corey Lewandowski	Chief of Staff (DHS)	Rumoured to be facing dismissal.

🛡️ The “Border Tsar” Takes Control

In a move to stabilize the situation, Trump has dispatched Tom Homan to Minnesota to replace Gregory Bovino. Homan, known for his directness, will bypass the usual chain of command and report directly to the Oval Office. This reshuffle is seen as an attempt by Trump to appease Minnesota Democrats and moderate voters who are horrified by the details of the shooting.