U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison Calls Out VA Secretary Doug Collins Over Shameful Comments on the Death of VA Nurse Alex Pretti

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) confronted Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Doug Collins over his statements following the killing of Minnesotan VA nurse Alex Pretti.

After Alex was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, Secretary Collins released a statementblaming the tragedy on "state and local officials' refusal to cooperate with the federal government," while other officials in the Trump Administration labeled Alex a "domestic terrorist" and an "assassin."

Representative Morrison, a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and a doctor for more than 20 years, gave Secretary Collins the opportunity to retract or correct his statement on Alex's death and to make an effort to honor his life and his career serving veterans as an ICU VA nurse. Secretary Collins refused to do so.

"Alex was a beloved son, brother, and friend, and will be remembered as an American hero. It's profoundly disappointing that you refuse to correct the record and reject the hateful lies spewed by this Administration about Alex, and stand up for your employee," said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison. "Veterans and those that care for them deserve VA leadership that honors their service and sacrifice with words and actions. If you cannot stand up for Alex Pretti, how can any VA employee trust that you will stand up for them?"

Watch the full video of Rep. Morrison's questioning HERE.

Read a transcript of Rep. Morrison's questions below:

Morrison: Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Secretary Collins, in May you gave this committee your word that you wouldn't fire any VA staff responsible for providing care to veterans. Since the announcement of this massive reorganization, I've already heard two direct accounts: the impending reorganization leading to canceled promotions for critical support staff, and the dismissal of concerns regarding access to care.

Under your leadership, applications to work at the VA have fallen 57%, and a spokesperson for the VA confirmed planned cuts to 25,000 unfilled positions, which will strain the workforce caring for our veterans. Trust me when I tell you almost every health care worker in America can tell you exactly what it's like to be overworked, short staffed, and overwhelmed.

In August, the VA Inspector General found that the Minneapolis VA had 130 different categories of positions facing severe staffing shortages, including 78 clinical positions. I sent you a letter in September requesting details about the employee departures we've seen since last year, which you still have not responded to.

In your testimony you stated, quote, "staffing and operations at VA medical centers and clinics will not change as part of this reorganization."

Given reports of existing severe staffing shortages and negative impacts from this reorganization effort, will you commit to addressing the severe staff shortages that threaten access and quality of care for our veterans? Just a yes or no. Please sir.

Collins: There is no yes or no. Minneapolis is 7% more in FTE since 2019 and two.

Morrison: Mr. Secretary, I'm asking you to commit to addressing this.

Collins: - made it a statement that we're overstaffed, understaffed, 7% more FTE since 2019.

Morrison: I'll take that as a no, sir. I reclaim my time. Mr. Secretary, the crisis of morale in your agency has reached a fever pitch in Minneapolis.

Minnesota has been overrun by masked, lawless federal agents who are terrorizing our communities.

It has resulted in untold human and economic damage, including the killing of two American citizens.

One of the people we lost was VA nurse Alex Pretti, and Alex Pretti was the best of us. Like his colleagues at the Minneapolis VA, he was a dedicated, hardworking care provider who honored the sacrifice of the veterans he cared for by helping deliver on the promise our country made to our veterans for their service.

Alex's parents described him as a kind hearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends, and also the American veterans whom he cared for.

Mr. Secretary, you said you have not spoken with ICE, but I have spoken directly with ICE on the ground in Minnesota, and they clarified that state and local officials are cooperating with ICE regarding violent criminals.

And this has been the case long before operation metro surge. In fact, they told me that the idea that there is no cooperation is completely false. Do you dispute ICE's account on the ground in Minnesota, yes or no?

Collins: I have no idea what you're talking about because it's not my department.

Morrison: That's true, Mr. Secretary. You are responsible for the VA, not immigration operations, not investigating shootings by federal agents, the Veterans Administration. So please help me understand your official statement.

What evidence do you have to blame? The violent death of one of your employees on state and local officials? Do you have any evidence?

Collins: I have stated my statement on Alex, and I'm not going, I mean, there's nothing else for me to say.

Morrison: Do you retract part of your original statement?

Collins: Asked and answered.

Morrison: Senior officials in the Trump Administration have slandered Alex as a "domestic terrorist" and "assassin," that he "wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement." No official has retracted those abhorrent and ridiculous statements.

Mr. Secretary, it would go a long way for the grieving staff at the Minneapolis VA if you corrected your statement blaming state and local officials, which, by the way, also actively undermines the work of local law enforcement and made a deliberate effort to honor Alex for his service and care of veterans.

Alex was a beloved son, brother, and friend, and will be remembered as an American hero. It's profoundly disappointing that you refuse to correct the record and reject the hateful lies spewed by this Administration about Alex, and stand up for your employee.

Veterans and those that care for them deserve VA leadership that honors their service and sacrifice with words and actions. If you cannot stand up for Alex Pretti, how can any VA employee trust that you will stand up for them?

Mr. Chair, I yield back.

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