During Monday night’s broadcast of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” an emotional Jimmy Kimmel broke down in tears twice while addressing the recent killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis. The tragedy occurred on Saturday, marking the second fatal shooting by ICE agents in the city in just three weeks, following the death of Renee Good, a mother of three.
Kimmel opened his monologue by reflecting on the heavy atmosphere of the weekend,
stating, “I spent the weekend like probably a lot of you did, looking at my phone and just feeling shocked and sick at what’s happening in Minneapolis.”He described the harrowing footage circulating online, noting, “One video after another: screaming people being torn from their families, Americans, people who were born in the United States being pulled out of their cars for the crime of having an accent or whatever. Children, small children, babies being tear-gassed, taken into custody, separated from their parents.”
The host did not hold back his disdain for the tactics being used, labelling the enforcement officers as a “gang of poorly trained, shamefully led, mask-wearing goons.” He further characterised the situation by saying, “And that is what they are: They’re goons committing vile, heartless, and even criminal acts. It’s sickening to watch, and it’s frustrating to watch.”
Kimmel suggested that the sight of “fellow Americans executed by ICE” should serve as a pivotal moment for Donald Trump's supporters. He challenged the audience, asking, “Is that the law and order that you voted for? Where are the reasonable voices on the right? We need some decent people on the right to show some courage and some common sense.” Visibly shaken, he concluded that section by remarking, “Every day is a nightmare now.”
The situation hit close to home for Kimmel, who mentioned that he and his wife have family living in Minneapolis. He shared the climate of fear currently gripping the community, explaining, “They’re afraid to take their kids to school. They’re afraid to go to work.”
