Readers Examine Shootings, Regulations, and Elections

Letters to the editor discuss concerns about federal policies and the need for Republicans to engage diverse voters.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Readers examine the reactions to the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and compare them to the killing of Ashli Babbitt. They also discuss the need for Republicans to make adjustments to win elections, and concerns about federal regulations impacting the hemp industry in Iowa.

Why it matters

These letters highlight ongoing debates around police use of force, the role of federal regulations, and strategies for political parties to engage diverse voters ahead of the upcoming elections.

The details

The letters discuss several high-profile police shootings, including those of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and compare the reactions to the killing of Ashli Babbitt during the January 6th, 2021 events. The writers also provide recommendations for how Republicans can appeal to Hispanic and young voters, as well as concerns about federal regulations impacting the hemp industry in Iowa.

  • The letters were published on February 7, 2026.
  • The new federal definition of hemp is scheduled to take effect on November 12, 2026.

The players

Renee Good

A person who was shot by ICE officers after allegedly failing to obey an order to exit her SUV, backing it up, and striking an officer.

Alex Pretti

A person who was shot by police, with questions raised about whether he was actually holding a gun or if it was a cellphone.

Ashli Babbitt

A person who was killed by a Capitol Police officer during the January 6th, 2021 events, with concerns raised about the justification for the use of force.

Jonathan Turley

A George Washington University law professor who observed that the officer's statements about the Babbitt shooting were not consistent with prior standards for use of force.

Stan Kephart

A use of force expert who concluded that Babbitt was "murdered 'under color of law'".

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The shooting of Good appears justified. She failed to obey an order to exit her SUV, backed it up so the front aligned towards an ICE officer, accelerated forward and struck the officer. During her initial maneuver, a second ICE officer had his arm inside the driver's window, so he was also endangered.”

— Donald Bohlken, Indianola resident (The Des Moines Register)

“Ashli Babbitt's killer said he could not see her hands and didn't know what her intentions were. Officers can't be mind readers, but should be able to articulate observations showing a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury.”

— Donald Bohlken, Indianola resident (The Des Moines Register)

“Hopefully, if any officers go to trial, the trials will not be held in cities (Minneapolis and D.C.) which are so heavily politicized that both sides can't receive a fair trial.”

— Donald Bohlken, Indianola resident (The Des Moines Register)

What’s next

Further investigation of both the Renee Good and Alex Pretti shootings is coming.

The takeaway

These letters highlight the ongoing debates around police use of force, the role of federal regulations, and the need for political parties to engage diverse voters ahead of the upcoming elections. They raise important questions about how to balance public safety, individual rights, and the integrity of the political process.