Former U.S. President Joe Biden broke his public silence this week and issued a sharp statement condemning recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota, including the shootings of Alex Pretty and Renee Goode. Biden accused the Trump administration of betraying America’s “most basic values” and called for a “full, fair and transparent investigation” into the two deaths.

His remarks were posted on X (formerly Twitter) on January 28, 2026, and quickly attracted widespread attention and criticism. One of the most forceful responses came from conservative commentator Megyn Kelly, who squarely blamed Biden for the current crisis and outright dismissed his intervention.

The exchange highlighted the deep political divisions surrounding the Minnesota shooting and the broader debate over ICE enforcement as Biden joins former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton in criticizing the administration’s actions. Kelly’s response ended with a blunt rebuke, telling Biden to “stop doing that.”

Joe Biden’s thoughts on Minnesota shooting

Joe Biden condemns killing of ICU nurse in statement January 28, 2026 Alex Pretty A series of events involving federal agents in Minneapolis and the death of Renee Good on January 7, 2026. The former president wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the incidents “betray our most basic values ​​as Americans,” adding that the United States “is not a country that shoots our citizens in the streets” and will not tolerate violations of the Constitution.

Biden praises Minnesotans He said communities have shown resilience in the face of fear and unrest, “standing up strong” by helping their neighbors, speaking out against injustice and holding governments accountable. He argued that residents have “suffered enough at the hands of this administration” and directly criticized President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration crackdown in the state.

The former president went further, stating,

“Violence and terror have no place in the United States of America, especially when our own government targets American citizens.”

While Biden didn’t explicitly name Trump at every point, he seemed to address him directly, writing:

“If we — all Americans — stand up and speak out, no one, not even the president, can destroy what America stands for and believes in.”

Joe Biden makes final appeal to Alex Pretty and Renee Goodehimself and former first lady Jill Biden expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. According to a report by The Independent on January 27, 2026, the statement is one of Biden’s most high-profile public interventions since revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis last year.

Joe Biden’s statement comes as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intensifies national scrutiny over the deaths. Alex Pretty and Renee Good, both U.S. citizens, died in encounters with federal agents. The shooting fueled protests in Minneapolis and across the country, with critics questioning the Trump administration’s use of force in defense, The Independent reported.

although President Trump Officials initially defended the agents’ actions, but bystander footage in Alex Pretty’s case appeared to show him holding only a cellphone, sparking new criticism from lawmakers and civil liberties advocates. Joe Biden’s intervention aligns him with other Democratic leaders who have questioned ICE’s tactics and called for accountability.

Joe Biden’s return to the spotlight, meanwhile, is noteworthy given his relative absence from public life since disclosing his cancer diagnosis last year. His remarks signaled his willingness to speak out on what he considers fundamental constitutional issues.