Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said he regretted calling Alex Pretti a “deranged individual” after he was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis in January.
Mullin made the statement during a Wednesday Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on his nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security. If confirmed, the Oklahoma Republican would inherit an agency facing scrutiny over its handling of the fatal shootings of both Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Leading up to her firing, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced scrutiny for statements about the motives of Pretti and Good before the investigation concluded, accusing both of committing an act of domestic terrorism.
Marykwayne Mullin says he regrets calling Alex Pretti a “deranged individual that came into cause max damage.”
“I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That’s my fault. That won’t happen as secretary.” pic.twitter.com/kDbXXgrHDc
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) March 18, 2026
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked Mullin if he intends to do the same.
“After DHS officers shot and killed two American citizens this past January, you joined top administration officials in publicly blaming and disparaging the victims,” Peters said. “Following the killing of Renee Good, Secretary Noem called her a domestic terrorist.”
“You, sir, you called Alex Pretti ‘a deranged individual that came in to cause max damage.’ Could we expect those kinds of quick responses if you are confirmed as secretary?” Peters asked.
Mullin responded bluntly that he wouldn’t do the same and expressed remorse for his previous comment.
“No, senator, I have a deep amount of respect for you. We’ve had our differences, but I do respect you. I think I’ve said this privately when we had a conversation. Those words probably should have been retracted,” Mullin said.
“I shouldn’t have said that. And as secretary, I wouldn’t. The investigation is ongoing … I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That’s my fault. That won’t happen as secretary,” he added.
Peters then asked Mullin to apologize to Pretti’s family, which he said he would “absolutely” do if the investigation proves him wrong.
Following the shootings, President Donald Trump sent border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to take over operations. In doing so, Trump replaced Noem-ally Gregory Bovino, a top Border Patrol official, who has since announced his retirement from the agency.
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