On the evening of January 26, 2026, Jimmy Kimmel delivered a deeply emotional monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that left audiences stunned. Visibly fighting back tears, the host paused repeatedly as he addressed the recent fatal shootings of ICU nurse Alex Pretti and Renée Nicole Good (also known as Renee Macklin Good) by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. The raw vulnerability marked one of the most poignant moments in late-night television this year.

Kimmel, voice cracking, described spending the weekend “shocked and sick” after viewing videos of the incidents. He condemned the actions during intensified ICE operations under Operation Metro Surge, calling them “vile, heartless, and even criminal acts” by “poorly-trained, shamefully-led, mask-wearing goons.” He highlighted Pretti’s service treating veterans at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and Good’s role as a loving mother, poet, and wife.

Jimmy Kimmel visibly emotional, tears in his eyes, during his January 26, 2026 monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, as he spoke about the Minneapolis shootings and community solidarity.

Pretti, 37, was shot multiple times—reports indicate around 10 shots—on January 24 after approaching agents amid protests to aid a pepper-sprayed individual. Bystander and bodycam footage showed him being tackled, his licensed concealed firearm removed without him drawing it, then fatally shot while restrained. The Department of Homeland Security claimed self-defense, but videos contradicted key details, fueling outrage and protests.

Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, whose death by federal agents sparked nationwide protests and Kimmel’s tearful tribute.

Good, also 37, was killed on January 7 when an ICE agent fired into her vehicle—described by authorities as “weaponized”—after she stopped to support immigrant neighbors. Videos captured the chaotic encounter, with her last words audible in some footage. The administration labeled it a response to perceived threats, but critics pointed to inconsistencies and lack of accountability.

Kimmel got personal, noting family ties to Minneapolis, and questioned if this represented the “law and order” some voters sought. He urged decency amid reports of family separations, child detentions, and blocked investigations. In a tearful close, he spoke softly: “To the people of Minneapolis, to the Pretti family and the Good family, these people who were looking out for their neighbors, we want you to know that we are with you and you are not alone.”

Renée Nicole Good, the 37-year-old mother, poet, and wife fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, whose story Kimmel highlighted in his emotional segment.

The monologue drew widespread praise for its humanity, with viewers sharing how it moved them to tears. Supporters flooded social media with solidarity, while some conservative voices mocked Kimmel for “crying like a baby.” Celebrities and activists amplified the message, calling the deaths unconscionable.

A growing memorial in Minneapolis for Alex Pretti and Renée Good, covered in flowers, candles, signs, and tributes demanding justice amid ongoing community grief.

The Department of Justice launched a civil rights probe into Pretti’s death but declined one for Good’s, heightening tensions. Minnesota officials pushed for access to evidence, with some FBI agents resigning over pressure to halt inquiries. Protests swelled, vigils honored the victims’ lives—Pretti’s dedication to veterans, Good’s nurturing kindness—and calls for transparency intensified.

Kimmel’s pause and tears became a viral symbol of shared national pain, reminding viewers that amid political division, empathy endures. As he wiped his eyes, the studio hushed, underscoring the human cost of the Minneapolis events and the broader immigration enforcement surge.