Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing mounting scrutiny after deadly Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents, as lawmakers from both parties demand answers, transparency, and accountability over the government’s response
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has found herself under intense scrutiny from both sides of the political aisle following a series of fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, particularly the death of
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during an immigration enforcement operation.
The controversy has rekindled national debate over federal enforcement tactics and raised questions about how Noem and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have handled the public narrative.
Firestorm over federal response
Noem quickly described the Minneapolis shootings—which also include the earlier death of Renée Nicole Good—as acts of violence against federal agents and defended the use of force by ICE and Border Patrol. In statements, she labelled one of the incidents “domestic terrorism,” asserting that individuals were
“weaponising” their actions against officers.
But viral video footage appears to contradict official claims about the circumstances of Pretti’s death, showing him holding a phone, not a visible weapon, when agents shot him. That discrepancy has shattered confidence among critics and fuelled outrage across the political spectrum.
A growing number of Republican lawmakers have joined Democrats in pushing for a transparent, independent investigation into the use of force in Minneapolis. Senators like Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Thom Tillis have publicly pressed for accountability, signalling
unusual strains within the GOP over the DHS response.
Meanwhile, moderate Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen has urged Noem’s impeachment, calling her conduct “deeply shameful” and accusing her of misleading the public about the killings. Over 100 House Democrats have signed on to the impeachment effort, and many are threatening to block funding for DHS unless significant reforms are enacted.
The backlash is rippling through national politics at a sensitive moment, with some lawmakers warning that the controversy could contribute to a partial government shutdown if DHS funding isn’t separated from broader spending bills.
At the same time, President Donald Trump has dispatched longtime immigration official
Tom Homan to oversee operations in Minnesota, a move seen by some as sidelining Noem amid mounting pressure.
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