Team USA Skier Hunter Hess Doesn’t Mince Words About ICE Shootings in America

On Friday, the 2026 Winter Olympics got underway in Milan, Italy. As 232 athletes got ready to represent the United States in this international event, one skiing star, Hunter Hess, claimed he was having “mixed emotions” while participating in it.

There has been major unrest in the US in the past few weeks. The ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and other federal immigration agents have come under the spotlight after two people were gunned down in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in January.

On January 7, during a federal immigration operation, an ICE agent would fatally shoot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman. This development caused a major uproar online with many attacking the government and President Donald Trump.

Almost two weeks later, an ICU nurse and Minneapolis resident, Alex Pretti. The 37-year-old was shot during a widespread protest against Operation Metro Surge.

Pretti was reported to be recording federal agents on his phone. Things escalated after two agents restrained him. He was then shot down, further heightening the tensions in the country.

Prior to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on Friday night, Hunter Hess made his feelings known and did not mince his words regarding this shootings.

The 27-year-old expressed that it brings up “mixed emotions” for him to represent his country at the moment during the Winter Games.

It brings up mixed emotions to represent the US right now I think. It’s a little hard there’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t. Just cause I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US.

Hunter Hess told the reporters

Team USA freestyle skier Hunter Hess on the actions of ICE agents: Just because I wear the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.
pic.twitter.com/xTMxH9GNtI

— Acyn (@Acyn) February 6, 2026

Hess will make his Olympic debut this year. During the two previous Winter X Games, the freestyle skier clinched bronze medals for his country.

Hunter Hess’ teammate left “heartbroken” amid unrest in United States

Hunter Hess and Team USA will be hoping to bring home some more medals as they get ready to take part in the Olympic Games. Ahead of this, one of his teammates admitted that he was left “heartbroken” by the unrest in the country.

Like Hess, his teammate Chris Lillis did not hold back while commenting on the ICE shootings in Minnesota. The New York-born ski star expressed that the country needs to respects the rights of everyone and treat them fairly.

I feel heartbroken about what’s happened in the United States… I think that as a country we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect.

Chris Lillis said regarding the ICE shootings

Team USA freestyle skiers say they feel bad about representing America at the Olympics due to ICE.

“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now it’s a little hard.” pic.twitter.com/xYDI56gaHo

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) February 7, 2026

The two ski stars have found themselves on the receiving end of some criticism. Many users on X slammed the two American internationals for their comments regarding the tensions in the country and called them out.

Hess and Lillis will now try to put this behind them and turn their attention towards the event. The US have won 33 medals in the freestyle skiing category with 11 golds, 13 silvers and 9 bronze.

Lillis also won gold at the 2022 Games in Beijing, China, alongside Ashley Caldwell and Justin Schoenefeld in the mixed aerials event.

The qualifiers for the first and second run of both the men’s and women’s Freeski Slopestyle will begin on Saturday.

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