Rep. Thanedar Erupts at Homeland Security Panel Over Fatal Shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti: “I Am Sick of Your Lies”
In a blistering congressional hearing today, Representative Shri Thanedar (D-MI) launched a fierce line of questioning against top Department of Homeland Security officials regarding the recent fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. The exchange, characterized by Thanedar’s visible frustration, culminated in the Congressman telling the panel, “I am sick of your lies,” before warning them they would need a presidential pardon for their actions.
Fiery Exchange on Capitol Hill
During the House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Rep. Thanedar pressed Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott for answers concerning the deaths of Good and Pretti in Minneapolis. Both officials repeatedly declined to answer specific questions, citing ongoing investigations.
Visibly agitated by the lack of transparency, Thanedar cut through the bureaucratic responses. “I am sick of your lies,” Thanedar stated, echoing a sentiment he has directed at DHS leadership in previous confrontations. “The American people are sick of these excuses.”
The tension peaked when Thanedar addressed the officials directly about their potential legal liability. “You better hope you get pardoned,” Thanedar told Commissioner Scott. “Because you will be held accountable for the absolute disregard of the law your agencies have shown over the past year.”
The Shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti
The hearing follows weeks of public outrage over two separate lethal incidents involving federal agents in Minneapolis as part of “Operation Metro Surge.”
Renee Good (Jan. 7, 2026): Good, a 37-year-old mother and poet, was fatally shot by an ICE agent while in her vehicle. While DHS Secretary Kristi Noem initially labeled Good a “domestic terrorist” and claimed she attempted to use her car as a weapon, witness video and family attorneys have strongly disputed this, alleging she was shot while posing no immediate threat.
Alex Pretti (Jan. 24, 2026): Less than three weeks later, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was killed by federal agents during a protest. Early official reports claimed Pretti was an “active shooter” targeting law enforcement. However, subsequent video analysis and bystander testimony suggest Pretti was coming to the aid of another protester and had been disarmed of his lawfully carried weapon before being shot multiple times.
Official Objections and Defense
Throughout the hearing, Lyons and Scott maintained a unified defense, refusing to engage with the specific allegations. “I cannot comment on an ongoing investigation,” Scott repeated in response to Thanedar’s inquiry about whether Pretti “deserved to die.”
When pressed on whether they would apologize to the families for the initial characterizations of the victims—which were contradicted by video evidence—Director Lyons stated that while he would speak to the families in private, he stood by the right of the President and Secretary Noem to make public statements. Officials also argued that the agents in Minneapolis are facing “paid agitators” and violent threats, necessitating a forceful response to maintain public safety.
Background and Fallout
The confrontation highlights the escalating tension between congressional oversight bodies and the Department of Homeland Security under the current administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Operation Metro Surge has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups and local leaders in “sanctuary cities” who argue that federal tactics have become dangerously militarized.
Thanedar’s comments reflect a growing movement within Congress to seek direct accountability for DHS leadership. The Congressman has previously introduced legislation to end qualified immunity for ICE agents and has called for the impeachment of Secretary Noem, citing a “rogue” culture within the department that operates without regard for constitutional rights.
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