1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand that you pursue impeachment proceedings against President Trump for empowering federal immigration enforcement agencies to use lethal force against American citizens exercising their constitutional rights. On Saturday, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse working in the intensive care unit at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot and killed by federal agents during protests in Minneapolis. This marks the second fatal shooting this month in Minnesota's federal crackdown, following the earlier killing of Renee Good by a US Immigration and Customs Law Enforcement officer. Video evidence shows Pretti directing traffic and filming federal agents with his phone in his right hand and his left hand empty. Another video shows him apparently defending a legal observer who was shoved to the ground by a federal officer. That officer repeatedly sprayed Pretti with a chemical agent before tackling him. As at least five agents surrounded him on the ground, one appears to fire a shot at close range, followed by a volley of more shots. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed that Pretti's only known previous interaction with law enforcement was for traffic tickets. Pretti dedicated his career to caring for American veterans. Colleagues at the VA hospital described him as an outstanding nurse with an infectious spirit who wanted to help people. Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, chief of infectious diseases at the VA hospital, called him "super nice, super helpful" and someone who "wanted to help people." Dr. Aasma Shaukat, who hired Pretti a decade ago, told the Washington Post he was the "sweetest, kindest, gentlest soul you ever met" who "always stood for people and human rights." The killing of an unarmed American citizen and healthcare worker by federal agents represents a fundamental breakdown in constitutional protections. I urge you to immediately initiate impeachment proceedings and hold President Trump accountable for authorizing this deadly escalation of force against peaceful protesters.