“You caused this. ALL of this blood on your hands. Sit this one out old man.”

Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly’s statement makes clear her view that Biden’s rhetoric and past policy choices bear responsibility for the turmoil that has engulfed Minnesota communities and ignited nationwide demonstrations.

You caused this. ALL of this blood on your hands. Sit this one out old man. https://t.co/XDOCYxj7AV

— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 28, 2026

Biden’s remarks, framed the unrest in moral and constitutional terms. “What has unfolded in Minneapolis this past month betrays our most basic values as Americans,” Biden said, adding that “we are not a nation that guns down our citizens in the street” or “allows our citizens to be brutalized for exercising their constitutional rights.” He called for full, fair and transparent investigations into the deaths of Pretti and Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE agent earlier in January, and said he and former first lady Jill Biden were sending “strength to the families and communities who love” the two victims as the nation mourned their “senseless deaths.” 

What has unfolded in Minneapolis this past month betrays our most basic values as Americans. We are not a nation that guns down our citizens in the street. We are not a nation that allows our citizens to be brutalized for exercising their constitutional rights. We are not a…

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 27, 2026

Biden’s appeal to shared democratic values and his call for accountability came amid growing outrage over how federal immigration enforcement tactics have been implemented under the Trump administration’s “Operation Metro Surge,” which deployed hundreds of agents to Minneapolis to carry out immigration operations and arrests. That campaign has drawn criticism from local officials, advocacy groups and civil liberties organizations who contend that aggressive tactics have contributed to fear and instability. Human Rights Watch and local authorities have documented scenes in which Pretti, who had no significant criminal history and was a lawful gun owner, was pepper‑sprayed and wrestled to the ground before being fatally shot, events that have spurred renewed demands for independent investigations. 

Kelly’s reaction did not engage with the specifics of Biden’s call for investigation or his defense of constitutional norms. Instead, she directly blamed Biden for the political climate that she says has enabled violence and protest, urging him to refrain from commenting further on the crisis. Her statement reflects a faction of conservative commentary that views federal criticism of immigration enforcement as undermining authority and emboldening dissent.

The Minneapolis shootings have prompted a wide range of responses across the political spectrum. Local and state officials have demanded answers and accountability from federal authorities, while protests and demonstrations have spread nationwide in solidarity with those killed and in opposition to federal immigration enforcement tactics. Videos shared widely on social media and verified by multiple outlets show bystander accounts of the Pretti shooting, including moments before agents engaged him, contributing to public debate about the circumstances and appropriateness of the use of deadly force. 

Meanwhile, Biden’s call for transparent investigations into both shootings echoed concerns expressed by other national figures who argue that federal actions must be scrutinized to preserve constitutional protections. His emphasis on basic rights, peaceful protest and accountability underscores the broader debate over how federal power is exercised and how law enforcement agencies engage with civilians in volatile circumstances. Kelly’s sharp critique highlights how deeply divided opinions are on both the causes of the unrest and who is responsible for it, with some attributing blame to federal policy and leadership, while others focus criticism on local and state responses or on broader political rhetoric. As investigations continue and protests persist, the clash between these perspectives is likely to remain a central part of national discourse around immigration enforcement, civil liberties and the responsibilities of public officials.