Social Media Hails 'Our Real President' Barack Obama For Condemning ICE Following Deadly Shooting In Minnesota

Social media users are reminiscing about the tenure of Barack and Michelle Obama as President and First Lady, following their statement condemning the conflict between ICE agents and Minnesota community members.

Barack Obama became the latest politician to speak out against the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old American citizen who was killed after becoming involved in an altercation with ICE agents carrying out an immigration operation in Minneapolis.

Like many public figures speaking out about Pretti's devastating death, Barack and Michelle Obama called the latest incident involving ICE in Minnesota a "heartbreaking tragedy."

Furthermore, the presidential couple said Pretti's death should be a "wake-up call to every American" regardless of their political affiliation.

"Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job," their joint statement read. "But Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way, and to work with, rather than against, state and local officials to ensure public safety."

"That's not what we're seeing in Minnesota," their statement continued. "In fact, we're seeing the opposite."

Since the beginning of January 2026, community members in Minneapolis have been outraged over the presence of ICE agents in their neighborhoods.

Prior to Pretti's shooting, Renee Good, another American citizen, was also shot and killed after an altercation with ICE officials during a protest.

In their statement, Barack and Michelle criticized the "masked ICE recruits" who are reportedly "engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke, and endanger the residents of a major American city."

The Obamas condemned ICE's tactics, pointing to the two fatal shootings that have caused unrest across the state before rebuking Trump and his administration for failing to stabilize the situation.

 "... the President and current administration officials seem eager to escalate the situation, while offering public explanations for the shootings of Mr. Pretti and Renee Good that aren't informed by any serious investigation," the statement read.

According to the BBC, Pretti was shot and killed after becoming embroiled in an altercation with an ICE agent who sprayed him with an unknown substance before tackling him to the ground and later shooting him.

DHS officials and an ICE spokesperson said Mr. Pretti was approaching law enforcement officers with a firearm—a statement videos and eyewitness accounts contradict.

In their statement, Barack and Michelle called for an end to the unrest the public is witnessing with ICE agents in Minnesota.

"This has to stop," the statement read, urging the current administration to work with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey to "achieve legitimate law enforcement goals."

The Obamas also praised the "peaceful" protesters in Minnesota and "other parts of the country," calling them a "timely reminder that ultimately it's up to each of us as citizens to speak out against injustice, protect our basic freedoms, and hold our government accountable."

Social media users are responding to Barack and Michelle's statement about the second fatal shooting to occur between ICE agents and Minnesota residents, with one user calling him "the best president we ever had."

Another user chimed in, labeling Barack "our real president," while another wondered how "we can get them back in the House."

"Our forever president," another user posted.

The Obamas aren't the only public figures to speak out against ICE after Pretti's death in Minneapolis. According to The Blast, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers condemned the shooting, saying ICE agents "murdered" the 37-year-old in the street.

Olivia Rodrigo also issued statements on her social media accounts, calling ICE's actions "unconscionable" in one post and encouraging others to engage in self-reflection if they find themselves on ICE's side in another.

Ariana Grande, too, reshared a statement, per The Blast, which featured New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani calling for the abolition of ICE. "ICE terrorizes our cities. ICE puts us all in danger. Abolish ICE," the statement read.