Jeffries Snaps On Trump Official
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply criticized senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller this week, escalating Democratic attacks on the administration’s immigration policies following a fatal shooting in Minneapolis that has drawn national attention.
Jeffries accused Miller of being responsible for shaping the administration’s toughest border and immigration enforcement measures and questioned why he continues to serve as a top adviser to President Trump.
The comments come as Democrats face increasing scrutiny over their response to the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse employed at a Veterans Affairs hospital, who was killed during a federal immigration enforcement operation.
Immigration Enforcement Under Scrutiny
The incident has intensified political pressure on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, with some lawmakers — including a small number of Republicans — calling for her resignation.
Rather than focusing solely on Noem, Jeffries directed his criticism toward Miller, who serves as President Trump’s homeland security adviser and is widely viewed as a key architect of the administration’s border enforcement strategy.
In a post on social media platform X, Jeffries accused Miller of promoting what he described as excessive force by the Department of Homeland Security, and objected to Miller’s public comments made shortly after the shooting.
Conflicting Accounts After the Shooting
Following the incident, both Noem and Miller described Pretti as a potential threat. Noem referred to him as a “domestic terrorist” and claimed he had brandished a firearm. Miller described Pretti as a “would-be assassin” who attempted to harm federal agents.
However, officials have since confirmed that Pretti legally possessed a valid concealed-carry permit.
Video footage circulating online appears to show a federal agent removing a handgun from Pretti’s waistband moments before he was shot. To date, authorities have not released evidence showing that Pretti pointed or fired the weapon.
White House Pushes Back
The White House forcefully rejected Jeffries’s remarks, dismissing them as politically motivated and irresponsible.
In a statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson accused Jeffries of repeatedly mischaracterizing federal law enforcement actions and undermining public confidence in officers tasked with enforcing U.S. immigration law.
Jackson also cited past remarks by Jeffries encouraging supporters to “fight” President Trump’s agenda, arguing that such rhetoric contributes to heightened tensions.
“No one should take anything he says seriously,” Jackson said.
