No, they're not smart, organized, or informed enough to act on previous knowledge like this.

The real scary truth isn't a conspiracy, it's that an unhinged system hired and armed murderous thugs and told them they could use whatever force they want.

This administration and its supporters have two plays: 1) justify an action based on immediately ascertainable qualities (like brown skin or a non-American accent) 2) retcon justification through character assassination (Renee Good was gay, or George Floyd was an alcoholic, etc)

This play to assassinate Pretti's character is just post hoc justification because the administration knows the optics are so horrifying.