Democratic lawmakers fiercely criticized Doug Collins, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, for reiterating claims made by the Trump administration about the killing of Alex Pretti, a VA nurse shot multiple times by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis. During a House Committee hearing, Representative Mark Takano pressed Collins on whether he would correct other cabinet members who labeled Pretti a terrorist, but Collins did not respond, highlighting tensions surrounding the narrative of Pretti's death.

This confrontation occurred while Collins was addressing the House committee regarding a significant restructuring plan for the VA, which manages the largest integrated healthcare system in the U.S., catering to approximately nine million veterans every year. The context of the hearing is particularly charged given the substantial attrition of VA employees, with over 30,000 healthcare workers having departed during the Trump administration. Critics assert that Collins' policies may drive the agency further towards privatization.

Critics of Collins are concerned that this movement toward privatization, coupled with the loss of critical healthcare professionals, could undermine the quality of care provided to veterans. The debate on Pretti's case has become emblematic of broader issues regarding the treatment and representation of veterans in discussions about U.S. immigration policies and violence, raising questions about accountability within the VA and the administration’s narrative management on such matters.