Kristi Noem Faces Bipartisan Fury Over Minneapolis Killings

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing intensifying criticism from both Democrats and Republicans following two fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, sparking calls for her resignation, firing, or impeachment.

The controversy centers on operations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under Noem's oversight. On January 7, agents shot and killed Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, during a raid.

A second incident involved the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, whom federal officials described as approaching agents aggressively with intent to inflict harm, though video evidence has reportedly contradicted these accounts.

Noem has defended the actions, but critics accuse her of mishandling the response, including unsubstantiated claims about the victims and a broader pattern of aggressive immigration enforcement that disregards judicial and congressional authority.

House Democratic leaders, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and members of the Homeland Security Committee, have threatened impeachment proceedings if President Trump does not remove Noem, citing "obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and self-dealing."

Over 70 House Democrats have backed these calls, describing Noem's leadership as a "reign of terror" that has endangered lives from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Senate Democrats have echoed the demands, with some threatening to withhold votes on funding unless changes are made.

The pushback has crossed party lines, with Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis publicly stating that Noem "needs to go" amid the fallout.

Within the White House, sources indicate internal scrutiny and a two-hour meeting between Trump and Noem, signaling dissatisfaction with the handling of the incidents, though her job is not immediately at risk.

Noem, who has led DHS since January 2025, has overseen a stringent immigration crackdown that has drawn widespread condemnation for its intensity and human cost.

Defenders, including Trump, have praised her work, with the president standing by her amid the criticism. However, the Minneapolis events have eroded public confidence, with ongoing raids and a DHS report confirming agents fired at Pretti fueling further outrage.

As protests continue in Minnesota and congressional oversight intensifies, Noem's future remains uncertain, highlighting deep divisions over immigration policy in the Trump administration.