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Fox News host Sean Hannity has voiced strong criticism against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, joining a growing number of MAGA conservatives expressing concern over the contentious nationwide raids. On Monday’s episode of The Sean Hannity Show on Premiere Radio Networks, the 64-year-old commentator suggested that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should adopt a different approach when detaining undocumented immigrants. He remarked, “Is ICE perfect? They’re not. Can they improve? Absolutely.” Hannity specifically questioned the tactic of apprehending individuals at places like Home Depot, stating, “Do I think that’s a good idea? I don’t.”
Hannity’s remarks follow the tragic incident involving Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old US citizen and ICU nurse, who was fatally shot by Border Patrol officers during an anti-ICE demonstration in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Footage revealed an officer seizing Pretti’s legally owned and permitted firearm from its holster before the shooting occurred in broad daylight. Minneapolis has experienced an uptick in ICE presence in recent weeks, highlighted by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, also 37, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross during a protest on January 7. Hannity proposed a “program” that would encourage illegal immigrants to “come forward” as a more sensible and effective solution to the issue.
Hannity Outlines Immigration Program
He further elaborated, “I don’t think that individuals working at a place are the immediate problem. Eventually, we must address those who disregarded our laws, borders, and sovereignty.” Hannity suggested that such a program could involve providing transportation home and a financial stipend of around $2,000, allowing individuals to reapply for legal entry. “We can vet them, conduct health checks, and ensure they won’t be a financial burden on the American people. I believe this would be a more responsible and reasonable approach to the problem,” he added.
In the wake of Pretti’s death, Trump has decided to dismantle the leadership of immigration enforcement, including booting out Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. He called Noem in for a late-night meeting on Monday after she called the deadly incident involving Pretti ‘domestic terror.’ By the end of the night, Noem was ordered to shift her focus away from interior immigration enforcement operations and instead concentrate on securing the Southern Border. Meanwhile, Bovino was also withdrawn along with scores of his agents.
Initially, Noem’s adviser and rumored lover Corey Lewandowski elevated Bovino to oversee high-profile immigration raids in U.S. urban centers, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and, most recently, Minneapolis. Bovino has since been reassigned and locked out of his government social media accounts. Hannity isn’t the only Republican who has voiced his opposition against Trump and his administration, as a conservative Governor called the death of Pretti ‘murder.’ ‘At best, these federal immigration operations are a complete failure of coordination of acceptable public safety and law enforcement practices, training, and leadership,’ Vermont Governor Phil Scott wrote on X on Monday. ‘At worst, it’s a deliberate federal intimidation and incitement of American citizens that’s resulting in the murder of Americans. Again, enough is enough,’ he added.
GOP Gov. Blasts White House Following Pretti’s death
Kevin Stitt, the Republican governor of Oklahoma, also blasted the White House over the controversial ICE raids following Pretti’s death. This is a real tragedy,’ Stitt told CNN on Sunday. ‘I think the death of Americans, what we’re seeing on TV, is causing deep concerns over federal tactics and accountability. Americans don’t like what we’re seeing right now.’ Stitt added that Trump’s promises of a crackdown on illegal immigration, while still an important priority for many Americans, did not require some of the measures currently being used. ‘Now, Americans are asking themselves, “What’s the endgame? What’s the solution?”‘ he continued.
‘We believe in federalism, states’ rights. Nobody likes feds coming into their state. So, what’s the goal right now? Is it to deport every single non-U.S. citizen? I don’t think that’s what Americans want.’ When asked if agents should be pulled from the streets in Minnesota, Stitt said it was the president’s call. ‘He’s a dealmaker. He’s getting bad advice right now,’ the governor said. ‘How do we bring this to a conclusion? Only the President can answer that question.’ Trump spent hours on Sunday and Monday watching cable news coverage and was unsettled by how the administration was being portrayed, one official told CNN.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt distanced Trump from Noem’s language regarding the recent death on Monday, arguing that it was not a position that the President had taken. Trump has gone on to make Noem’s longtime rival and ICE veteran Tom Homan take charge of the deteriorating operation in Minnesota. The president also revealed he had a conversation with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz about what’s going on in the state. ‘The President agreed that he would talk to his Department of Homeland Security about ensuring the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is able to conduct an independent investigation, as would ordinarily be the case,’ Walz’s office said.
‘The President also agreed to look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and working with the state in a more coordinated fashion on immigration enforcement regarding violent criminals.’ After appointing Homan to take over, Trump said: ‘I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. ‘Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me.’
