Baumgartner Must Go
Originally published on Medium.
Baumgartner Must Go
Rep. Baumgartner on Federal Agent Violence
His statements. His votes. The pattern.
Photo credit: Official portrait, Office of U.S. Representative Michael Baumgartner. Via baumgartner.house.gov.
Renee Good (January 7, 2026)
ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot Good three times in her car in south Minneapolis. Mother of three, acting as legal observer. The video contradicts the administration’s claims that she used her vehicle as a weapon.
Baumgartner (Jan 15): “Obviously, it’s a tragedy whenever anybody gets killed, but from what I’ve seen, it looks like a justified shooting.”
On Noem calling Good a “domestic terrorist” without investigation: “I would like to refrain from making those kinds of comments until there’s an investigation.” Trump labeled her a terrorist within hours. No investigation.
Public opinion: 53% say the shooting was unjustified. 62% don’t trust the federal government to investigate fairly. (Quinnipiac, Jan 8–12)
Alex Pretti (January 24, 2026)
Border Patrol shot Pretti at least ten times in south Minneapolis. ICU nurse at VA hospital. American citizen, legal gun permit, no criminal record. NYT video analysis: he held a phone, not a gun, when agents took him down. The gun was found eight seconds after pinning him.
Federal response: DHS claims he intended to “massacre” agents. Stephen Miller: “would-be assassin.” State investigators with a warrant were blocked from the scene.
**Baumgartner:** [No statement as of publication]His ICE Positions
March 2025, Whitworth town hall: “It would be far better for the security of the state of Washington and for immigrants in the state of Washington if Washington was not a sanctuary state.” Pledged to “make that happen.”
June 2025, after Spokane ICE arrests: Blamed sanctuary laws for “forcing” ICE to use “more aggressive measures.” Defended agents who smashed truck windows and Tasered migrants.
On ICE tactics: “ICE has to go and get them in their homes or on the street, where they have to be all loaded up with weapons.”
Praising Trump
March 2025 SOTU: “Tonight’s address celebrated the bold actions taken by President Trump to restore the rule of law.”
October 2025: Co-sponsored H.R.5789, the Donald J. Trump Congressional Gold Medal Act.
White House visit: Discussed their “mutual friend”, Coach Mike Leach.
The Pattern
Federal agents kill American citizens → Baumgartner calls it “justified” or stays silent.
Administration labels victims “terrorists” without investigation → Baumgartner says he’ll “refrain from commenting.”
State officials demand accountability → Baumgartner calls them “highly irresponsible.”
Constituents confront him → He blames sanctuary laws.
Throughout: Praise for Trump. Gold medal co-sponsorship.
WA-05 deserves a representative who demands accountability when federal agents kill American citizens — not one who defends the killings before investigations happen.
Sources: Spokesman-Review (Jan 15, March 17–18, March 31, 2025); New York Times (Jan 24, 2026); KREM (June 2025); Quinnipiac (Jan 8–12, 2026); baumgartner.house.gov
January 24, 2026