Statement of ABA President Michelle A. Behnke Re: Shootings in Minneapolis

January 26, 2026

Statement of ABA President Michelle A. Behnke Re: Shootings in Minneapolis

CHICAGO, Jan. 26, 2026 - Our nation is hurting. People are mourning the loss of two lives at the hands of immigration agents in Minneapolis. There is confusion and fear as to the legalities at hand. Let's be clear: This level of violence is not normal.

The gravity of these incidents cannot be overstated. The American Bar Association emphasizes the need for a fair and open government investigation into the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, both U.S. citizens. Only through a full and proper investigation will the facts of these incidents come to light.

Beyond the investigations, as the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA underscores the important constitutional rights that are at stake. The constitutional rights at issue must be protected. These include freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press.

The Rule of Law undergirds these inalienable rights. It ensures that all people and all government entities are accountable to laws that are clear, just and fair.