Kristi Noem Faces Mounting Impeachment Calls Over Shootings/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing bipartisan backlash and growing demands for her resignation or impeachment after fatal shootings in Minnesota. Lawmakers cite her controversial remarks and aggressive immigration policies as disqualifying. President Trump continues to defend her leadership amid rising political tensions.
Kristi Noem DHS Crisis Quick Looks
- Noem under intense scrutiny after deadly shootings in Minnesota
- Democrats threaten impeachment; Republicans begin to voice concern
- Trump strongly defends Noem’s leadership and border enforcement record
- Noem accused of misrepresenting shooting victims as “domestic terrorists”
- Senate and House leadership demand DHS accountability hearings
- Public and political outrage fueled by images of children taken during raids
- DHS operations spark budget battle and shutdown threats in Congress
- Noem doubles down in Fox News interview, offers limited condolences
Deep Look
Kristi Noem Faces Bipartisan Pressure Amid Mounting DHS Controversy
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is at the center of a political firestorm in Washington, with intensifying calls for her removal or impeachment following the fatal shootings of two individuals during a deportation protest in Minnesota. The growing pressure reflects not only Democratic outrage but also emerging fractures within the Republican ranks.
In the days following the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, both of whom were involved in demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement, criticism of Noem has escalated. Her public remarks characterizing Pretti as having “attacked” federal officers and labeling the incident as an “act of domestic terrorism” have provoked condemnation from lawmakers and civil rights advocates alike.
“The country is disgusted by what the Department of Homeland Security has done,” stated Democratic House leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar in a joint release. “Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.”
Originally seen as a fringe effort, Democratic moves to impeach Noem are now being taken seriously as the controversy widens. Republicans, too, are beginning to question her leadership.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said bluntly, “What she’s done in Minnesota should be disqualifying.” Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska echoed that sentiment, urging President Trump to reassess Noem’s position.
Despite the growing chorus against Noem, President Donald Trump has remained firmly in her corner.
“Who closed up the border? She did,” Trump said during a Fox News interview, touting her work with former border czar Tom Homan. When asked directly if Noem would be stepping down, he responded with a definitive “No.”
Noem’s critics say her alignment with Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, who has since been pulled from the Minnesota operation, shows a dangerous lack of accountability. In contrast, supporters argue she is simply enforcing immigration laws passed by Congress. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the department’s actions, saying politicians should focus on “protecting the American people.”
Still, the fallout is spreading. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a fellow South Dakotan and top-ranking Republican, acknowledged the situation as a pivotal moment. While he declined to express a personal opinion on Noem’s fate, Thune emphasized the need to reevaluate DHS procedures and oversight.
Across the aisle, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer labeled Noem a “liar,” saying the trust in her department has been irreparably broken.
The political standoff comes at a critical juncture as Congress negotiates an annual funding package that includes Homeland Security. Democrats are pushing for constraints on DHS operations, particularly after graphic footage of children being separated from their families during recent raids drew widespread condemnation. Some Republicans, meanwhile, are urging President Trump to use executive authority to continue immigration enforcement, even invoking the possibility of using the Insurrection Act.
The conservative House Freedom Caucus threw its support behind Noem in a letter to Trump, signaling their willingness to defend aggressive immigration enforcement at all costs, even amid rising public backlash.
Noem, who previously served as South Dakota’s governor and representative, has avoided the spotlight since her controversial press conference after Pretti’s death.
In a follow-up Fox News appearance, she struck a balance between defending law enforcement and expressing sympathy. “It grieves me to think about what his family is going through,” she said, “but it also grieves me what’s happening to these law enforcement officers every day.”
The uproar is reigniting debates over the normalization of impeachment in modern politics. Just two years ago, the GOP-controlled House impeached then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over border policies under President Biden — charges that were ultimately dismissed by the Senate.
Now, Democrats are mobilizing quickly. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has vowed to initiate an impeachment inquiry if his Republican counterpart fails to act. More than 160 House Democrats have already signed onto a resolution introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois.
“This isn’t just about one tragic incident,” Raskin said. “It’s about an entire pattern of lawlessness and abuse of power that threatens our constitutional order.”
As the debate intensifies, Noem’s position at the Department of Homeland Security appears increasingly tenuous. With public outrage growing and political alliances shifting, her future in the administration may soon hinge less on her performance and more on the cost of defending her.
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