Governor Lombardo Silent Amid Trump Administration’s Use of State-Sanctioned Violence

NEVADA - Over the weekend, Alex Pretti, a United States citizen, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Customs and Border Protection officers. In the aftermath of the shooting, the Trump administration has shown no accountability, with officials quickly spreading lies about the incident. Earlier this month, an ICE agent, Jonathan Ross, killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mom, US citizen, and Minnesotan. The Trump administration was quick to justify Good’s killing and blame her for it as well. Despite the gravity of state-sanctioned violence being used against civilians, Governor Joe Lombardo has remained silent.

Sue Burtch, Executive Director with Nevada NOW, issued the following statement:

“Governor Lombardo’s silence following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents is unacceptable. At a moment when fundamental democratic norms are being tested, and public trust in institutions is eroding, Governor Lombardo’s refusal to speak out suggests he is more focused on ingratiating himself with Trump and his base than defending the values this country was built on. The killing of Pretti, an ICU nurse whose death has sparked national outrage and widespread protests, underscores a blatant escalation in the use of force that many Americans see as unnecessary and deeply troubling.

We cannot allow our democratic principles to be hollowed out by leaders who evade accountability and condone violence. By remaining silent as our country is reeling from these events, Lombardo becomes complicit. Now more than ever, we must stand united against authoritarian impulses and demand justice, transparency, and respect for human rights in every corner of our society.”

Paula Luna, Interim Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“State-sanctioned violence has claimed the lives of two Minnesotans in just the past month. One was a mother; the other, a nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital. Both were exercising their First Amendment rights when they were shot and killed. In the aftermath, Donald Trump and members of his administration have worked aggressively to smear the victims, spread falsehoods, and evade any meaningful or transparent investigation.

Throughout all of this, Governor Joe Lombardo has remained silent. He has chosen political self-preservation over moral leadership, unwilling to challenge Trump for fear of jeopardizing his own ambitions. That silence is not neutrality—it is complicity. This is not leadership. It is reckless, cowardly, and profoundly undemocratic. Nevadans deserve a governor who will stand up for their rights—and for the rights of all Americans—especially at a moment this grave in our nation’s history.”   

Dawn Etcheverry, President, Nevada State Education Association, issued the following statement:

“At a moment when democratic norms and basic human rights are under direct attack, Governor Joe Lombardo has chosen silence. He has failed to speak up, failed to lead, and failed to stand with educators and families demanding safety, dignity, and the rule of law.

Leadership requires moral clarity, especially when children are being harmed and public schools are disrupted by fear and intimidation. Lombardo’s refusal to say anything at all is not neutrality. It is abdication. What is happening in Minnesota is not just an immigration issue. It is a test of whether we will tolerate authoritarian tactics that endanger students and undermine public education. Governor Lombardo has failed that test. Silence does not keep students safe. It only protects the people doing the harm.” 

Kerry Durmick, Nevada State Director, All Voting Is Local Action, issued the following statement: 

“Governor Lombardo’s silence in the aftermath of masked federal agents killing Alex Pretti is unacceptable. What we are witnessing is an effort to slowly unravel our democracy through repeated abuses of our rights and freedoms. Literally hours after federal agents shot Pretti dead, the administration made even clearer their intentions when Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice tried to use ongoing violence against American citizens and further threats as a means to extort sensitive voter information and force the state of Minnesota to turn over its voter rolls.

By tying the violence federal agents have perpetrated in Minneapolis to ramped-up demands for private voter information, this administration is furthering its illegal attempts to interfere with our elections. The  Governor’s silence in the face of these obvious abuses of federal power should give all Nevadans pause. We implore Governor Lombardo to remember that his oath is to the Constitution and to the people of Nevada, not to the President and his extortionate regime.“

Marco Rangel-Vega, Nevada Public Affairs Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, issued the following statement:

“Governor Lombardo’s silence is unacceptable. When state power is used in ways to harm our neighbors and create fear, leaders have a responsibility to speak up. This silence is not leadership. It does not protect communities, but rather leaves Nevadans exposed, unheard, and unsure. This is no longer just about immigration. The violence and fear these agents have brought to communities echoes through our neighborhoods, our schools, our public spaces, and our healthcare system. Families have avoided medical care out of fear of intimidation or arrest. This leads to families putting their lives at risk, weakening our communities.

Nevadans deserve to feel safe and heard. We cannot allow intimidation and excessive use of force to chrome the new normal. Nevadans deserve leaders who will stand up for constitutional rights.”

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