Outrage Grows: DHS Labels Slain Nurse a "Domestic Terrorist" as Protests Spread to Chicago

Washington D.C. – The national unrest surrounding the death of Alex Pretti took a volatile turn this morning after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem branded the 37-year-old ICU nurse a "domestic terrorist," sparking immediate condemnation from his family and fueling new protests across the Midwest.

The "Terrorist" Allegation

Breaking the administration's silence on the Minneapolis shooting, Secretary Noem defended the federal agents involved, claiming Pretti "came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation."

"This was not a bystander. This was an individual who made a choice to interfere with federal officers," Noem told reporters.

The characterization of Pretti—a registered nurse known for caring for veterans at the Minneapolis VA—as a "terrorist" has dominated social media trends today, with the hashtag #NurseNotTerrorist trending #1 nationwide on X (formerly Twitter).

Family Slams "Sickening Lies"

Pretti’s family issued a blistering response just hours after Noem's press conference. In a statement released through their attorney, they called the Secretary’s narrative "sickening lies designed to cover up a murder." "Alex was holding a phone, not a gun. He was protecting a woman they pushed to the ground. To call a man who spent his life saving veterans a 'terrorist' is reprehensible," the statement read. Video evidence released yesterday appears to corroborate the family's claim that Pretti was unarmed at the exact moment he was shot.

Unrest Spreads to Chicago

While Minneapolis remains the epicenter, the fallout has officially crossed state lines. Thousands are currently gathering in Chicago for a massive prayer vigil and protest outside the Federal Plaza. With rumors of a "federal surge" coming to Chicago similar to the one in Minnesota, local leaders are warning that the Situation is becoming a "national powder keg."

Truth Stream USA News will continue to monitor this developing situation.