In a rapid response to the controversial shooting in Minneapolis, the Republican National Committee (RNC) disseminated talking points based on Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino’s contentious remarks about Alex Pretti's death, just hours before Bovino was removed from his position by President Donald Trump. This move underscores the volatile nature of the party’s stance as the narrative around the incident continues to evolve.

The memo, sent to GOP surrogates on Monday and later obtained by POLITICO, blamed Democrats for inciting protesters to confront law enforcement aggressively in Minneapolis. It referenced comments made by Bovino on Saturday, claiming that Pretti, who was killed by immigration agents, aimed to “massacre law enforcement.” This version of events has since been challenged by eyewitness videos and reports from major news outlets including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Included in the RNC’s talking points was the claim that “Agents attempted to disarm the individual as he violently resisted. Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, a Border Patrol agent fired defensive shots.” However, video evidence from the scene appears to contradict these statements.

The swift change from promoting Bovino's statements to his subsequent removal highlights the Trump administration and other Republicans' rush to manage the negative repercussions following the incident. Notably, a significant number of GOP elected officials have advocated for an official inquiry into the shooting—a marked deviation from the usual alignment with the Trump administration.

Initially, high-ranking officials like Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, as a “domestic terrorist.” Yet, by that evening, President Trump adopted a more reserved tone in a Wall Street Journal interview, avoiding direct answers about the officer's actions and mentioning that "everything" was under review.

At an event in Iowa on Tuesday, Trump distanced himself from earlier assessments by Noem and others, noting that although Pretti should not have been armed, he hadn’t been briefed on the “domestic terrorist” characterization. Minnesota officials confirm that Pretti had a legal permit to carry a firearm.

The memo strategically excludes any reference to comments made by Noem post-shooting. While the White House has continued to support Noem, blame for her handling of the situation has been increasingly placed on her by Trump administration allies, amid growing calls from Democrats for her impeachment.

Following Monday's announcement that border czar Tom Homan would take over the Minneapolis operation, Bovino was removed from his command, signaling a potential shift in the administration's approach to the unfolding crisis.

RNC spokesperson Kiersten Pels, while not confirming the memo's authenticity, reiterated its sentiments, accusing Democrats of inciting violence and undermining law enforcement.

This controversy comes as Trump’s approval ratings on immigration issues have plummeted, with only 39% of Americans endorsing his immigration policies per a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. The incident has intensified scrutiny on the administration’s aggressive deportation strategies, further complicating the political landscape as the Senate debates crucial DHS funding.