President Donald Trump distanced himself on Tuesday from comments Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, made regarding the fatal shooting of Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti.
Departing the White House for a campaign rally in Iowa, Trump was asked whether he thought Pretti was acting as an “assassin” when intervening in an immigration enforcement operation that led to the 37-year-old’s fatal shooting by Border Patrol agents.
“No. No, I don’t think so,” Trump said.
“With that being said, you can’t have guns,” the president added. “You can’t walk in with guns. But it’s a very unfortunate incident.”
Trump’s comments undercut those made by Miller directly after Pretti’s shooting.
“A would-be assassin tried to murder federal law enforcement and the official Democrat account sides with the terrorists,” Miller posted to social media in response to a video of Pretti’s shooting shared by the Democratic National Committee.
Trump critics have set their sights on both Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem since Saturday’s shooting. Noem made a similar accusation against Pretti directly after the incident, accusing the nurse of brandishing a weapon and attacking immigration officers.
The homeland security secretary is facing calls to resign or face impeachment in Congress for her handling of immigration enforcement and deportation matters.
Trump told reporters Tuesday afternoon that “no,” Noem would not be leaving her post.
“I think she’s done a very good job,” Trump said. “I think she’s doing a very good job. The border is totally secure.”
Multiple senior Trump administration officials also told the Washington Examiner that Miller “isn’t going anywhere.”
In fact, Miller was set to travel with the president to Iowa on Tuesday.
“Stephen Miller is one of President Trump’s most trusted and longest serving aides,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday. “The president loves Stephen.”
Leavitt additionally told reporters during her Monday press briefing that she had not heard Trump “characterize” Pretti in the same manner as Miller or Noem, adding that the president “wants to let the facts and investigation lead itself.”
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Trump added on Tuesday that he would be personally monitoring the separate investigations into Pretti’s killing.
“We’re doing a big investigation,” the president said upon departing the White House. “I want to see the investigation. I’m going to be watching over it. I want a very honorable and honest investigation.”
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