In a January 2026 Fox News segment, former Rep. Trey Gowdy criticized the Trump administration’s portrayal of Alex Pretti. Minnesota activist fatally shot by federal agents during a protest, as a “domestic terrorist.”
In his bizarre screed, Gowdy highlighted a perceived double standard: conservatives celebrated Kyle Rittenhouse for armed self-defense at protests, yet demonized Pretti for lawfully carrying a concealed firearm without brandishing or pointing it.
Gowdy claimed that there was no evidence to support terrorist claims. The comments, from a Fox appearance, sparked backlash from some MAGA supporters, wjo labeled Gowdy a “RINO” for inconsistency and lack of context.
Starting off his disengenous rant, the RINO began, “I think what frustrates people, you remember Kyle Rittenhouse and how he was made a hero on the right, I am sure there are people on the conservative side who are saying, ‘wait a minute, you mean you can’t take a firearm to a protest’ because you were just celebrating the guy for doing it a couple of years ago.”
Doubling down on his comments, he added, “Alex Pretti’s firearm was lawfully being carried. It’s a It’s lawful to carry a gun in Minnesota. He never brandished it. He didn’t point it at the cops, and we certainly should not be labeling him as a domestic terrorist who was going to execute cops. There’s no evidence to support that.”
Reacting to the disengenuous clip, one user added, “Trey Gowdy used to always talk a big game when he was in Congress but when it was time to take action he never did. His deception of the American people and conservatives was rewarded with a gig on Fox News. Gowdy is a RINO on steroids and should never be trusted.”
Another user in the comments said, “RINO Trey Gowdy’s rant sounds like it was written by the left. And consider this: Fox News gives him a platform to spew leftist propaganda. Both are untrustworthy,” expsoing the double standard.
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Laying out the case, a Trump supporter stated, “Faux News wants fraud Gowdy back in some sort of leading role for the GOP. Don’t forget Gowdy was right there beside Paul Ryan trying to take Trump out his first term. The guy is not to be trusted, ever.”
Upset by the clip, a response read, “Gowdy is woefully ignorant of all the laws pertaining to the 2A…especially bringing a weapon to an active operation being conducted by Federal agents, and the fact all identification for that weapon was left at home including his driver’s license. Gowdy’s voice gets higher and higher, as he tries to convince himself he’s correct.”
Watch the clip here:
“@TGowdySC it’s difficult to believe you’re this stupid. Especially since you’re a recovering lawyer and senator. @GlockfordFiles can you believe some people think he should be the FBI Director? My God what a joke he would be. Might as well call Chris Wray back,” the same source read.
Featured image from embedded video