The recent killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis has prompted a wave of public outrage among celebrities, with Pedro Pascal leading calls to condemn the violence. This outcry unfolded over the weekend, as several well-known figures voiced their anger and demanded accountability for the deaths of Pretti and Renee Good, another victim of federal force earlier this year.
Pascal, known for his role in The Last of Us, used his Instagram platform Sunday night to highlight both victims. He shared artwork showing Pretti and Good, accompanied by the message:
Pretti Good reason for a national strike
and excerpts from a New York Times editorial titled
Two People Are Dead. Americans Deserve to Know the Truth.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis reposted the same image, while Edward Norton, speaking at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, endorsed the idea of a general strike in response to the incidents.
Pedro Pascal and Billie Eilish Lead Calls for Transparency and Justice
On Instagram, Pedro Pascal emphasized the significance of truth in democracy, writing:
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.
The actor tagged the New York Times in his post, signaling the need for public clarity.
Billie Eilish added her voice through a series of Instagram stories, calling Pretti a real American hero after the 37-year-old nurse was shot multiple times following a confrontation with federal agents, footage of which circulated widely.
The singer also challenged fellow celebrities about their silence, posting a selfie with the message:
hey my fellow celebrities u gonna speak up? or
Katy Perry further mobilized her fan base by urging them to contact their senators, showing the momentum building among public figures.
High-Profile Figures Use Sundance Festival to Highlight Federal Agent Violence
At the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, Natalie Portman and Olivia Wilde visibly expressed their opposition by wearing ICE Out pins, a statement previously seen on the red carpet at the Golden Globes. Portman expressed mixed feelings about the current state of America, telling Deadline:
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.
Olivia Wilde, promoting her film The Invite, described the violence as appalling and shared her horror over the deaths caused by federal agents. Speaking to The Associated Press, she said:
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.
Actors Mark Ruffalo and Glenn Close Decry Federal Violence and Government Actions
Mark Ruffalo used social media to honor Alex Pretti, calling her a hero and resharing details about her role as a nurse with the Veterans Administration and a dog owner. He also condemned the violence directly, posting:
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, despite being mostly abroad since September, addressed the situation through prepared remarks posted on Instagram. She expressed deep outrage, stating:
watched, with the rest of the world, our democracy being systematically disemboweled and torn apart.
She continued:
I am outraged and sickened by what is happening under the Trump regime: the cruelty, inhumanity, and arrogance,
adding,
The voracious corruption, the cowardice, the sickening hypocrisy, the blatant manipulation of facts, and now the cold-blooded murder of American citizens.
Closing her statement with a warning about rising civic unrest, Close said:
the great American body politic is stirring, waking up and taking in what’s going on.
and
And, mark my words, there will be hell to pay,
underscoring the urgency and gravity of the moment.
Growing Celebrity Momentum Highlights National Call for Accountability
The surge of celebrity responses indicates a shifting cultural climate as those in the public eye demand answers for federal violence against civilians. With prominent actors, musicians, and activists using their platforms to call for justice, the pressure mounts on government authorities to address these fatal incidents transparently.
As Sundance serves as a backdrop for this activism, the public and political arenas may see increased advocacy for systemic reforms and investigations. The involvement of stars like Pedro Pascal and the collective calls for a general strike reflect widening frustration and a demand for democratic principles to be upheld in the face of escalating federal force.
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
