Kash Patel’s Viral Line About Protesters Sparks Anger Online

Kash Patel’s Viral Line About Protesters Sparks Anger Online

Lee Moran

Mon, January 26, 2026 at 8:55 AM UTC

4 min read

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FBI Director Kash Patel was slammed and accused of not knowing the law after he claimed on Fox News that protesters cannot bring loaded firearms to demonstrations, following the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a federal agent in Minneapolis, the second such death in the city in recent weeks.

Department of Homeland Security officials claim Pretti, a legal gun owner with a permit to carry, was armed and provoking violence, but the account is being challenged by videos and sworn affidavits.

Politics: Republicans Call For Investigation After Federal Agents Kill Minneapolis Man

Fox’s Maria Bartiromo said it felt “like the rhetoric and the protesting” against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown “is only ramping up.”

She asked Patel: “What is your advice to the people right now who are outraged that this a second killing at the hands of border patrol in two weeks?”

Patel replied: “You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want.”

“It’s that simple,” he added. “You don’t have a right to break the law.”

Footage of Patel’s remarks, shared on X, quickly went viral — racking up more than 4 million views — and sparked a wave of criticism, with many commenters saying he was “completely incorrect” and noted instances of when those on the political right have protested, while holding weapons.

The clip also received a community note stating: “Under the Second Amendment and MN Stat. 624.714, permit holders may legally carry firearms in public, including during protests. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public carry is a constitutional right. Carrying a firearm does not legally constitute ‘inciting violence.’”

The note linked to Minnesota statute and a Supreme Court ruling supporting that interpretation.

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