Ohio Politicians Deflect from ICE Killing by Attacking Fringe Candidate

State leaders attempt to shift attention away from national outrage over Alex Pretti's death by criticizing Elliot Forhan's incendiary rhetoric.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:31am

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In the wake of national outrage over the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents, Ohio politicians have sought to deflect attention by criticizing comments made by Elliot Forhan, a fringe Democratic candidate for state attorney general. Forhan had released a video message stating he would prosecute former President Trump and seek the death penalty, drawing condemnation from Republican leaders. However, the author argues these attacks on Forhan are a transparent attempt to avoid addressing the more pressing issue of Pretti's death and the broader threat of fascism.

Why it matters

The killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents has sparked national outrage, but Ohio politicians are trying to shift the focus away from this disturbing incident by seizing on the inflammatory rhetoric of a marginal political candidate. This reflects a troubling pattern of bad-faith outrage being used to dodge accountability for real abuses of power.

The details

Elliot Forhan, a Democratic candidate for Ohio Attorney General, released a video message stating he would prosecute former President Trump and seek the death penalty if elected. This drew swift condemnation from Republican leaders in the state, including Auditor Keith Faber, gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, and Senate President Rob McColley. They called on Forhan's Democratic opponents to denounce his comments. However, the author argues these attacks on Forhan are an attempt to distract from the more pressing issue of the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents, which has sparked national outrage.

  • On Tuesday, Elliot Forhan published a video message outlining his plans to prosecute former President Trump if elected as Ohio Attorney General.
  • On Monday, Ohio Auditor Keith Faber published an op-ed in the Columbus Dispatch justifying the killing of Renee Good, just two days before the killing of Alex Pretti.

The players

Elliot Forhan

A Democratic candidate for Ohio Attorney General who released a video message stating he would prosecute former President Trump and seek the death penalty if elected.

Keith Faber

The Republican candidate for Ohio Attorney General, who published an op-ed justifying the killing of Renee Good just before the killing of Alex Pretti.

Vivek Ramaswamy

The Republican candidate for Governor of Ohio, who condemned Forhan's comments.

Rob McColley

The Republican Senate President in Ohio and Ramaswamy's running mate, who also condemned Forhan's comments.

Alex Pretti

The individual killed by ICE agents, whose death has sparked national outrage.

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What they’re saying

“Elliot Forhan is not qualified to serve as Attorney General. Amy Acton and other Democrats on the ticket must call out and condemn this conduct.”

— Keith Faber, Republican candidate for Ohio Attorney General (Twitter)

“This is what Amy Acton and the Ohio Democrats implicitly endorse. Utterly shameful.”

— Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican candidate for Ohio Governor (Twitter)

“Amy Acton and her running mate must immediately denounce this extremism. President Trump has overwhelming support in Ohio, and there is no room here for rhetoric that threatens lives or undermines the rule of law.”

— Rob McColley, Ohio Senate President (Twitter)

What’s next

The author notes that the candidates for Ohio statewide office should be focusing on condemning the abuses of Ohioans by ICE agents, rather than sensationalizing Forhan's comments. The author suggests the candidates should pledge to prosecute any ICE agents who assault or murder Ohioans.

The takeaway

This incident highlights how bad-faith outrage can be used as a tool to dodge accountability for real abuses of power. Ohio politicians are more concerned with attacking a fringe candidate than addressing the national outrage over the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents and the broader threat of fascism.