German Chancellor Friedrich Merz today expressed concern over the use of force by U.S. law-enforcement agents, describing the level of violence in the United States as “worrying” following a recent fatal shooting in Minneapolis.
Merz was speaking at an event in Hamburg after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers during protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota. U.S. federal agents have come under intense scrutiny for their handling of demonstrations, which have sparked widespread protests and public debate over the use of force.
The chancellor said he expects American authorities to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into whether the shooting was justified and whether the officers faced a real threat that warranted lethal force. He emphasized the need for clarity to ensure accountability.
In addition to condemning the incident, Germany’s foreign ministry issued updated travel advisories urging vigilance for travelers to the U.S. amid ongoing clashes between protesters and immigration and security forces in cities including Minneapolis.
The shooting in Minnesota is part of a series of anti-ICE protests in the United States this month, driven by public outrage over multiple fatal incidents involving federal enforcement agents and calls for changes in immigration enforcement practices
