Congressional Democrats are intensifying pressure on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment proceedings, following controversial statements she made about two fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.
As of Tuesday, 120 House Democrats had signed onto an impeachment resolution introduced by Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois, according to her office. The number has increased sharply in recent days amid growing outcry over immigration enforcement practices during Operation Metro Surge, which deployed thousands of federal officers to Minnesota.
House Democratic leadership issued an ultimatum Tuesday, warning that if Noem is not fired or does not resign, they will commence impeachment proceedings. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar said in a joint statement that the violence unleashed by the Department of Homeland Security must end immediately.
The calls for Noem’s removal intensified after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on Saturday. Noem initially claimed Pretti had approached Border Patrol agents with a handgun and violently resisted when officers tried to disarm him. However, eyewitness videos do not appear to show Pretti holding a gun in the moments before his death. Local officials confirmed that Pretti had a permit to carry a firearm.
House Homeland Security Committee Democrats posted on social media Tuesday that Noem has destroyed public confidence in her ability to lead the department. The statement asserted that Noem lied about Alex Pretti and has been rebuked by Republicans in Congress, her own senior staffers, and the president.
Earlier this month, Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed in her car by a federal officer. Shortly after her death, Noem described Good’s actions as an attempt to kill or cause bodily harm to agents, calling it an act of domestic terrorism. Cellphone videos cast doubt on Noem’s explanation, with witnesses stating they believed Good was trying to drive away from officers.
Representative Kelly’s impeachment resolution includes three articles: obstruction of Congress for refusing to comply with laws prohibiting DHS from blocking members of Congress from entering detention facilities; violation of public trust for allegedly directing warrantless arrests and excessive force; and self-dealing for allegedly directing more than $200 million in taxpayer funds toward a firm run by the husband of a senior DHS official.
Several Democratic governors and senators have joined the calls for Noem’s resignation. Senator Elizabeth Warren stated Monday that Congress should move to impeach Noem if she does not resign. Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada said Sunday that Noem has been an abject failure leading DHS and that her department’s attempt to mislead the public about Pretti’s death is deeply shameful.
Governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Gavin Newsom of California have also called for Noem’s resignation. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado wrote on social media that President Trump needs to remove federal agents from cities immediately and that Noem must resign.
A DHS spokesperson responded to the criticism by stating that the department enforces laws passed by Congress. Spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said that if certain members do not like those laws, changing them is their job. She criticized politicians who would rather defend criminals and attack law enforcement officers.
Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, pledged to join Homeland Security ranking Democrat Bennie Thompson and Oversight ranking Democrat Robert Garcia to launch a complete oversight and impeachment inquiry into potential constitutional crimes committed by Noem.
Raskin stated that under Noem’s failed leadership, the Department of Homeland Security has unleashed a shocking assault on the most basic constitutional rights and freedoms of the American people. He noted that masked agents at ICE and Border Patrol have killed two American citizens, depriving them of life and liberty without due process of law.
The impeachment resolution faces significant obstacles in the Republican-controlled House. However, Democratic leaders have made clear they intend to proceed with oversight and investigative proceedings regardless of Republican cooperation.
