DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Faces Growing Bipartisan Criticism After Minneapolis Shooting
- David S
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Trump Responds with Leadership Shake-Up
President Donald Trump took swift action following the public outcry over Pretti’s death, which marked the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis within weeks.
Trump appointed border czar Tom Homan to oversee operations in the Twin Cities and held discussions with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) to calm tensions. He also met for two hours with Noem, signaling both support and a need for oversight.
Bipartisan Backlash Over Noem’s Comments
Noem faced mounting criticism for her early comments comparing Pretti to a “domestic terrorist,” despite evidence showing he was carrying a legally registered firearm and posed no immediate threat.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) described her actions as “amateur hour” and argued that her response should disqualify her from leading DHS. Other Republican senators echoed these sentiments, calling her initial statements an “unforced error” that undermined public trust in federal law enforcement.
Democrats, meanwhile, have ramped up calls for accountability, with more than 160 House members supporting articles of impeachment. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) have publicly urged Trump to remove Noem from her position.
Congressional Oversight and Upcoming Testimonies
The controversy has led to increased scrutiny of DHS operations in Minnesota. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, has requested testimony from DHS, ICE, CBP, and USCIS officials. Noem is also expected to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3.
Some lawmakers are signaling that the incident could influence federal funding debates, with Senate Democrats reportedly prepared to challenge the DHS spending bill over leadership and operational missteps.
Trump Continues to Express Support
Despite bipartisan criticism, President Trump publicly stated his confidence in Noem, claiming she is doing a “very good job” and praising her efforts at the border. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the president continues to trust her leadership, even as Congress escalates oversight.
Conclusion
Kristi Noem’s handling of the Minneapolis shooting has spotlighted tensions between federal immigration operations and local communities, fueling bipartisan criticism and potential legislative consequences. While Trump continues to back her publicly, scrutiny from both parties suggests that her leadership of DHS remains under intense evaluation. The coming weeks, including congressional testimonies, will likely determine the long-term impact of this controversy on her career and on federal immigration policy.
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