The Smearing of Alex Pretti and NSPM-7

[Nevilledog]

https://www.justsecurity.org/129797/alex-pretti-nspm-7/

Just hours after their son was shot and killed by federal agents on the streets of Minneapolis, Michael and Susan Pretti decried the “sickening lies” told by the Trump administration. “Please get the truth out about our son,” they wrote. “He was a good man. Thank you.”

The truth is that senior Trump administration officials quickly smeared Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who worked at a veterans’ hospital, as a “domestic terrorist.” They lied – repeatedly – before any investigation could be completed, and before Pretti’s parents, friends, and colleagues could testify to his kind character. The administration is, of course, attempting to deflect blame from its own culpability. But that is only part of the story.

Senior officials’ dishonest portrayal of Pretti as a domestic terrorist is not a slip of the tongue or impulsive idea.

Instead, it appears to be part of the administration’s campaign to demonize opposition to its anti-immigrant policies as “domestic terrorism,” and to weaponize powers of the federal government against such perceived political opponents. That plan is set forth in a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-7) and other official memoranda. It is a direct threat to First Amendment rights, as well as the lives of protesters opposed to the administration’s unconstitutional and increasingly violent anti-immigrant policies. Indeed, by falsely declaring Pretti to be a “domestic terrorist,” some officials are arguing, in effect, that the federal government was justified in killing him. It is a lie – one that Trump officials have told before, including after the killing of Renee Good. And it is part of a broader effort to smear everyone from other ICE observers to elected state and city officials as supporters of “terrorism.”

Consider how quickly the administration attempted to frame Pretti. Within three hours after his death, the DHS posted a picture of a 9mm semi-automatic that was reportedly found on Pretti’s person, claiming “this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.” (Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino and Secretary Kristi Noem would repeat that statement later in the day.) DHS added that Pretti was killed as “officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted.” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem alleged that Pretti “committed an act of domestic terrorism.” She elaborated: “When you perpetuate violence against a government because of ideological reasons and for reasons to resist and perpetuate violence, that is the definition of domestic terrorism.” Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller declared that Pretti was a “domestic terrorist” who “tried to assassinate federal law enforcement.” Miller also shared a post claiming that Pretti “likely intended to MASSACRE LAW ENFORCEMENT.”

*snip*

[Klarkashton]

1. That piece was able to include the whole govt narrative

Somehow..

[LuckyCharms]

3. I give you 5 minutes left here.

Start timer...

[Brother Buzz]

4. LOL, that was a sucker's bet

How I hate the Queen of Pentacles!
Sitting on her golden throne
In her domestic tyranny
All roads lead back to her alone