Republicans hammer Kash Patel over defense of DHS shooting

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) went on the offensive Sunday and attacked FBI Director Kash Patel, who hours earlier defended the Border Patrol officers who killed Minnesota resident Alex Pretti.

Appearing on Fox Business earlier on Sunday, Patel criticized Pretti, who was legally carrying a concealed firearm before he was pepper-sprayed, beaten, and shot by Border Patrol officers.

“No one who wants to be peaceful shows up at a protest with a firearm that is loaded with two full magazines,” Patel said to Fox Business’s Maria Bartiromo. “That is not a peaceful protest!”

Massie, a staunch Libertarian, took issue with Patel’s grievances and argued that the FBI director had inadvertently come out against the 2nd Amendment.

“Can the FBI just enforce the law without adopting every leftist gun banner talking point?” Massie asked in a social media post on X on Sunday. “Carrying a gun = bad intentions. Loaded guns = bad guns. Spare magazines = extra bad. More than 10 rounds = bad.” Massie was joined by Greene, who suggested Patel’s complaints were also counter to the 2nd Amendment, which enshrines every American’s right to bear arms.

“I agree,” Greene wrote in a social media post on X. “I support the 2nd amendment. Under all administrations.”

I agree. I support the 2nd amendment. Under all administrations. https://t.co/xuC54qISSB — Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (@FmrRepMTG) January 25, 2026