Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo was put on the defensive on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, after Democratic Representative Ro Khanna invoked the Second Amendment during a tense exchange about federal immigration agents fatally shooting American citizens.
The clash unfolded during an interview in which Bartiromo questioned why Democratic lawmakers stayed seated during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. Trump had urged Congress to stand in support of his claim that protecting American citizens should come before aiding undocumented immigrants. When most Democrats remained seated, Trump labeled them “crazy.”
Khanna, a Democrat from California, disputed Bartiromo’s suggestion that his colleagues value undocumented immigrants over American citizens. He argued that Democrats opposed the manner in which Trump’s mass deportation initiatives have been carried out, specifically pointing to the deaths of several American citizens caused by federal immigration agents.
The Fox Business anchor defended the federal agents, citing the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was filming agents during a January 24 protest in Minneapolis. Pretti was shot and killed by two Customs and Border Protection agents after they brought him to the ground.
“I think if an ICE agent feels a threat and feels that he or she and his team is under threat by having someone who’s armed, clearly armed with a gun on his belt, interrupt him, then he’s going to shoot,” Bartiromo stated. “And they’re trained to kill.”
Khanna countered by invoking core constitutional protections often championed by conservatives. He reminded Bartiromo that owning a firearm is a constitutional right under the Second Amendment—one frequently defended on her own network.
“But Maria, I mean even in this country we have a Second Amendment, you can’t say that any person who shows up with a gun, simply by doing that at an event, can be shot to death!” Khanna replied.
Bartiromo appeared visibly startled and stumbled over her response, insisting that Pretti had previously been seen “antagonizing” the agents.
Khanna pressed further, arguing that even if Pretti had behaved confrontationally, such actions would not warrant a death sentence. He underscored the principle of proportional use of force, a fundamental component of police training nationwide.
When Bartiromo responded with an unsure “Uhh…” and continued to defend the agents’ actions, Khanna ended with a pointed reminder about constitutional rights and civil liberties.
The congressman’s reference to the Second Amendment underscored a glaring inconsistency in Bartiromo’s argument. Conservative commentators and Republican lawmakers frequently portray gun rights as inviolable, yet the Fox Business host appeared willing to accept that simply possessing a firearm near federal agents could justify deadly force.
The broader backdrop of the exchange involves mounting concerns about Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. Pretti was the second U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January 2026, following the Jan. 7 death of 37-year-old Renee Good. The deaths triggered large protests and bipartisan demands for an inquiry.
Alex Pretti’s case has become especially contentious. The ICU nurse, who worked at a Veterans Affairs medical center, had been recording federal agents and helping direct traffic when officers pepper-sprayed him and tackled him. Video footage reviewed by several news organizations shows an agent removing a handgun from Pretti’s waistband before two agents fired multiple rounds at him as he lay face-down on the pavement.
Critics argue that if law enforcement can justify killing armed citizens merely for being present at demonstrations or other public spaces, it essentially undermines Second Amendment rights. Gun rights advocates have long asserted that legally carrying a firearm should never be treated as probable cause or grounds for lethal force.
Journalist Aaron Rupar posted a video of the exchange on social media, where it quickly went viral. Many viewers highlighted the irony of a Fox News host appearing unfamiliar with constitutional protections typically revered by the network’s audience.
For Khanna, who serves as Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on China and represents Silicon Valley, the interview offered a chance to articulate Democratic objections to Trump’s immigration strategies while grounding his argument in constitutional principles often invoked by Republicans. His performance showed how Democrats can oppose the administration’s tactics without being portrayed as weak on border security.
The exchange also exposed the difficult position conservative media personalities face when defending controversial law enforcement actions that clash with conservative values. Bartiromo’s struggle to reconcile support for tough immigration enforcement with respect for Second Amendment rights highlighted the contradictions in that stance.
As Trump’s widespread deportation efforts continue, the deaths of citizens like Alex Pretti and Renee Good will likely remain central to the ongoing national debate over immigration policy and accountability in law enforcement.
