Following a prolonged silence since the deployment of federal agents to Minneapolis during the Trump administration, prominent figures in Hollywood have begun speaking out in response to the recent fatal shootings of ICU nurse Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Actor Pedro Pascal notably condemned the violence in a series of Instagram posts, drawing significant attention to the incidents.
The focus on these events grew stronger over the weekend, as Pascal and singer Billie Eilish emerged among the most vocal celebrities demanding accountability for the deaths, highlighting the seriousness and urgency surrounding the Minneapolis shootings.
Pedro Pascal Calls for Truth and Accountability
On Sunday night, Pedro Pascal made several Instagram posts that emphasized the deaths of Pretti and Good at the hands of federal agents. One post featured illustrations of both women alongside the phrase
Pretti Good reason for a national strike
and included excerpts from a New York Times editorial titled
Two People Are Dead. Americans Deserve to Know the Truth.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis shared the same image on her Instagram, while actor Edward Norton also advocated for a general strike during an interview at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
Pascal wrote:
Truth is a line of demarcation between a democratic government and authoritarian regime. Mr Pretti and Renee Good are dead. The American people deserve to know what happened.
He also tagged the New York Times in his posts to underscore the demand for transparency.
Billie Eilish Highlights Silence and Honors Victims
Singer Billie Eilish used Instagram stories to spotlight Pretti, calling her a real American hero. Pretti, aged 37, was an ICU nurse who was shot multiple times after being tackled by federal agents, an incident captured on video and widely circulated. Eilish also challenged fellow celebrities to raise their voices, posting a selfie with the message:
hey my fellow celebrities u gonna speak up? or
By the morning following the weekend, singer Katy Perry encouraged her Instagram followers to contact their senators, urging political action in response to the shootings.
Actors Show Solidarity with Protests and Criticism of Government Actions
Natalie Portman and Olivia Wilde made visible statements at the Sundance Film Festival, wearing pins that read ICE Out, a symbol used by several actors at the recent Golden Globes event protesting federal immigration enforcement tactics. Portman, whose film The Gallerist premiered at Sundance, expressed conflicted feelings in an interview:
I could not be prouder to be American right now, by the way the Americans are acting. And I could not be sadder to be American right now with the way the government is behaving,
she said.
On the festival’s red carpet, Wilde called the deaths inflicted by federal agents horrifying and said she believed many felt the same. She explained, I think it’s appalling, while promoting The Invite, which she directed and starred in. Wilde expressed a stark contrast between the celebratory atmosphere of Sundance and the unrest in the streets:
It’s really difficult to be here and to be celebrating something so joyous and beautiful and positive when we know what’s happening on the streets. Americans are out on the streets marching and demanding justice and we’re there with them.
Mark Ruffalo and Glenn Close Speak Out Against Violence
Actors Mark Ruffalo and Glenn Close also condemned the federal agents’ actions. Ruffalo described Alex Pretti as a hero on social media and reshared information about her role as a nurse with the Veterans Administration and being a dog owner. He further shared the video of Pretti’s shooting, denouncing it as
Cold blooded murder in the streets of the USA by an occupying military gang, creating havoc. We have fought wars in other countries for less than this.
Glenn Close, who has been mostly abroad since September, delivered prepared remarks on Instagram highlighting her outrage:
I have watched, with the rest of the world, our democracy being systematically disemboweled and torn apart.
She condemned the
cruelty, inhumanity, and arrogance
of the current administration, continuing:
The voracious corruption, the cowardice, the sickening hypocrisy, the blatant manipulation of facts, and now the cold-blooded murder of American citizens.
Close concluded her statement with a warning:
The great American body politic is stirring, waking up and taking in what’s going on.
She added,
And, mark my words, there will be hell to pay,
pointing to an impending reckoning.
Significance and Emerging Impact of Celebrity Activism
The outpouring of condemnation from Pedro Pascal and fellow celebrities underscores growing frustration with the violence linked to federal agents and the lack of governmental transparency. Their public calls for accountability and general strike signal an intensifying demand for justice amid rising tensions nationwide. As these voices amplify, they could influence public attention, legislative pressure, and activism surrounding civil rights and government conduct.
With events unfolding amid cultural institutions like the Sundance Film Festival and the Golden Globes, the intersection of celebrity influence and social justice activism is becoming increasingly prominent. The continued engagement of well-known figures like Pascal, Eilish, Portman, Wilde, Ruffalo, and Close may drive broader dialogue and civic response in the weeks ahead.
Natalie Portman shares her support for “ICE OUT” and “BE GOOD” – an ACLU-endorsed campaign honoring Renee Macklin Good and Keith Porter – as she voices her concern with the Trump administration pic.twitter.com/AV0ezA9nvH
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 24, 2026
