Clashes between protesters and federal officers, Minneapolis, January 21, 2026.Image: Keystone
interview
The deaths of Alex Pretti and previously Renee Good, both killed by immigration officers in Minneapolis, are sparking a flood of reaction across the United States. Morgan Gray, co-chair of Democrats Abroad Suisse Romande, in an interview.
01/28/2026, 09:1101/28/2026, 09:32
Two US citizens were killed in Minneapolis by officers from the federal immigration agency ICE. watson asked Morgan Gray, co-chair of Democrats Abroad in French-speaking Switzerland, for her take on recent events in Minnesota.
translation
This text was written by our colleagues from French-speaking Switzerland and we translated it for you.
Morgan Gray, as an American living in Switzerland, what were your initial reactions to the events in Minneapolis?
Morgan Grey: These two killings are horrific and disgust me. When I saw the pictures on the news I was completely shocked but unfortunately not surprised at how things turned out.
To what extent?
In the 2024 presidential election campaign, Trump made no secret of his intentions and repeatedly spoke of the “enemy within”.
“We knew it could happen because Trump’s ‘inner enemy’ was everyone who didn’t think like him.”
Sometimes it was the left-wing extremists, but basically it was all those who opposed him. During the 2024 campaign, I took his threats very seriously, and within Democrats Abroad we worked tirelessly to prevent his re-election and not find himself in this situation again.
During election night in November 2024, many Democrats in Geneva believed Trump’s second term would be worse than his first because it was better organized. Did you share this fear?
I don’t think it’s any better organized, but over a year ago we saw and heard statements from many Republicans from his previous administration who no longer wanted to work with him.
“We have been warned countless times.”
The Republicans who managed to keep his tendencies in check are no longer in his entourage, making him more dangerous.
The Trump administration appears to be targeting Democratic states by deploying immigration enforcement there. What do you think is the political agenda behind these actions?
Trump wants to destabilize and terrorize the population. The state of Minnesota is overwhelmingly Democratic, as is California, and Illinois, where I come from, was also targeted by Trump.
“I think his idea is to create chaos by pushing the population to their limits.”
By provoking a violent reaction from citizens, he can justify the seizure of power in an authoritarian manner. Democrats Abroad has many members with friends and family in Minneapolis; They report that people there constantly carry their passports with them for fear of arrest. Incredible, right?
“The Americans won’t tolerate something like that – this situation is surreal.”
Minneapolis authorities are calling for immigration enforcement to withdraw. Do you think this reaction is appropriate?
Yes. I would like to remind everyone that there are laws in our country and that it is the job of politicians to look for legal solutions first and foremost. For example, authorities request arrest warrants from ICE officers. They are calling on judges to protect people who are being targeted by immigration authorities. I would also like to add that people in the Midwest are very resilient. The winters there are known to be harsh, temperatures can drop to what feels like -40 °C, and this climate also promotes cohesion among the population. When you see these people demonstrating, opposing what I call an out-of-control private paramilitary militia and denouncing their actions, you can only pay tribute to them.
“Citizens are brave and risking their lives to document the actions of federal agents.”
Clashes break out between protesters and federal officers after a fatal shooting, Minneapolis, January 24, 2026.image: EPA
Viewed from abroad, some are wondering: Is the United States sliding into violence? Do you think this concern is justified?
Yes, it is justified as far as the government is concerned, but the protesters have remained peaceful. As an American living abroad, I am following events closely and know that many more people have been killed by ICE or died in detention. But this happens in secret. We have no footage of these killings and I think we are only seeing part of the truth. Not only are the killings shocking, but so are the Trump administration’s lies.
“When you hear the Trump administration’s statements without seeing the pictures, you think these words describe a different reality.”
This doesn’t match the pictures or the witness statements, but that doesn’t stop the government from lying to the population. These lies are also a form of violence.
Is Democrats Abroad planning concrete actions in Switzerland in response to these events?
Our members are closely monitoring the situation and receiving messages from their friends in Minneapolis – we want to take action on their behalf. At Democrats Abroad, we do this in a variety of ways. First, we turn to our representatives, whether in the Senate and Congress or at the local level, such as the governors. I am from Illinois and have two Democratic Senators representing my state. I also have a Republican representative for my district in Congress.
“I write to them regularly to express my dissatisfaction – and above all to exert pressure on votes.”
For example, a Senate vote on funding for federal agencies like ICE is coming soon. I write emails tirelessly to remind my MPs of the importance of their actions. I make it no secret that I write very often to the Republican congressman who represents my district. People should know me in his office by now.
So you’re stubborn, aren’t you?
Yes, but that’s normal. These people represent us, they work for us. But that’s not all we’re doing right now. We also encourage American voters residing in Switzerland to request their voting materials. The voting process in the United States is complicated: you have to register, know in which district you are eligible to vote, and be familiar with procedures abroad.
“The midterm elections will take place in the fall, but some states are already holding primaries starting today.”
Last but not least, Democrats Abroad distributes information and organizes donations for our fellow citizens, because it is important to stick together in such a situation.
Have these events changed your view of your country?
I spent two months in Illinois visiting family at the end of last year, and I feel the atmosphere has changed as more citizens organize against this administration’s attacks. Today I see people who I never thought would make an activist effort, banding together to confront this authoritarian state.