Blanche Says Shot Protester’s Actions Likely Don’t Meet ‘Definition of Domestic Terrorism’

‘What we saw was a very violent altercation, and I am not going to prejudge the facts,’ he said.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington on Nov. 19, 2025. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday said nobody thinks the actions of a man who was shot by a Border Patrol agent in Minnesota on Saturday reach the legal standard for domestic terrorism.

“I don’t think anybody thinks that they were comparing what happened on Saturday to the legal definition of domestic terrorism,” Blanche said on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” on Monday.

During the incident leading up to the shooting, “what we saw was a very violent altercation, and I am not going to prejudge the facts,” Blanche added.

Domestic terrorism under federal law is defined as activities that can intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion, or impact the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.

Following the shooting death of the man, identified as Alex Pretti, by a federal agent during a Minneapolis incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that Pretti was carrying out domestic terrorism and brandished a weapon at federal officials.

“When you perpetuate violence against a government because of ideological reasons and for reasons to resist and perpetuate violence, that is the definition of domestic terrorism,” Noem told reporters on Saturday. “This individual who came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation of federal law enforcement officers committed an act of domestic terrorism.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the man was shot after he approached Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. Officials did not specify whether Pretti brandished the gun.

Videos from the scene circulating on social media appear to show Pretti holding an object in his hand as he struggles with agents. The man’s family said in a statement shared by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that Pretti was “clearly not holding a gun” but instead had “his phone in his right hand, and his empty left hand is raised above his head.”

Democratic officials, in response, said that Pretti’s shooting was unjustified and have called on the Trump administration to end its operation in Minneapolis. In Congress, Democratic leaders also signaled they would move to shut down the government by blocking funding before a late January deadline if money to DHS is provided in the wake of the shooting.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Sunday that Senate Democrats will not vote for a spending package that includes money for DHS, increasing the chances of a shutdown on Jan. 30.

Democrats say the legislation, which includes money for a number of government agencies, does not include enough restrictions on immigration officials.

“Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE,” Schumer said. “I will vote no.“

In response to the shooting and protests, the Minnesota National Guard was activated by Gov. Tim Walz and is assisting local police during the protests over the weekend. Protests in Minneapolis escalated after the shooting death of a woman, Renee Good, earlier this month. Trump administration officials have said she tried to move her vehicle toward an agent at a traffic stop.

President Donald Trump, in social media posts, said that local officials in Minnesota have impeded federal immigration enforcement operations and, on Monday, again said that fraud is rampant in the state. In the aftermath of the shooting, Trump confirmed Monday he is sending border czar Tom Homan to the state.

“I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight,” the president wrote on Truth Social, adding that he’s “ tough but fair, and will report directly to me.”

“Separately, a major investigation is going on with respect to the massive 20 Billion Dollar, Plus, Welfare Fraud that has taken place in Minnesota, and is at least partially responsible for the violent organized protests going on in the streets,” he added.