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More than half of House Democrats are now backing a resolution to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following a controversial federal law enforcement shooting in Minneapolis that has sparked national outrage.
The impeachment push, led by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), has garnered 133 Democratic co-sponsors as of Monday morning, representing a significant majority of the 213-member House Democratic Caucus. Support spans the ideological spectrum, with both progressive and moderate Democrats joining the effort.
Rep. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), one of only seven House Democrats who voted to fund DHS in recent appropriations proceedings, announced her support on Sunday. “Another U.S. citizen has been killed at the hands of ICE and there must be accountability, which is why Secretary Noem must be impeached immediately,” Gillen stated on social media.
The surge in support follows the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a nurse at Minneapolis’ Veterans Affairs Medical Center, by a Border Patrol agent during a demonstration against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations in the city.
Conflicting accounts of the incident have emerged. Secretary Noem claimed Pretti “arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement.” She stated that Pretti approached officers with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and reacted violently when officers attempted to disarm him, prompting an agent to fire in self-defense.
However, eyewitness accounts and video evidence present a different narrative. Publicly circulated footage shows Pretti approaching federal officers while holding what appeared to be his phone to record the interaction. The video shows him attempting to help a female protester who had been knocked to the ground when he was similarly forced down. One camera angle appears to show an officer removing Pretti’s weapon before shots were fired. While Pretti did possess a handgun, he reportedly had a legal permit to carry.
The incident has intensified political divisions. Republicans have criticized Minnesota Democratic leaders for fostering hostility toward federal officers and refusing to cooperate with Trump’s immigration enforcement initiatives. Democrats, meanwhile, accuse the Trump administration of allowing federal agents to operate with impunity, creating chaos in Minneapolis.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has not yet formally endorsed the impeachment effort but told reporters to “stay tuned” when questioned last week.
In the Senate, moderate Democrat Jacky Rosen of Nevada has become the first in the upper chamber to call for Noem’s removal, describing her as an “abject failure” at leading the agency. “Kristi Noem and her department’s latest attempt to mislead the American public regarding the brutal and unjustified killing of Alex Pretti is deeply shameful, and she must be impeached and removed from office immediately,” Rosen said.
Rosen’s position carries particular significance given her moderate stance and previous willingness to work across the aisle. Senate Democrats are now threatening to block DHS funding legislation as a government shutdown deadline approaches.
Despite growing momentum, any impeachment effort during the current congressional term would likely be symbolic, as it’s highly improbable that enough Republicans would support the resolution for it to pass the House or receive the necessary 60 votes in the Senate for removal.
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin defended Noem in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “DHS enforces the laws Congress passes, period. If certain members don’t like those laws, changing them is literally their job.” She added that ICE officers are facing a “staggering 1,300% spike in assaults” while politicians “defend criminals and attack the men and women who are enforcing our laws.”
The Minneapolis shooting has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement tactics under the Trump administration, with both sides digging in as political tensions escalate and another potential government shutdown looms.
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9 Comments
Impeachment is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. While the loss of life is tragic, we need to make sure all the facts are on the table before rushing to judgment. I hope this can be resolved through a thorough investigation.
This is a concerning development. While I understand the desire for accountability, impeachment is a serious matter that should not be undertaken lightly. I hope all sides can come together to fully investigate the incident and find a just resolution.
The details of this incident seem murky. It’s important to gather all the facts before rushing to judgement. I’m curious to hear more about the conflicting accounts mentioned and what led to the escalation of force.
Agreed, we need a thorough, impartial investigation to understand exactly what happened. Rushing to impeachment without a clear picture could set a dangerous precedent.
Impeachment is a serious remedy that should only be pursued with clear evidence of wrongdoing. While the loss of life is tragic, we need to be sure all the facts are known before rushing to judgment. I hope this can be resolved through a fair and thorough investigation.
I’m glad to see bipartisan interest in getting to the bottom of this incident. Accountability is important, but the process must be fair and fact-based. I look forward to seeing how this situation unfolds.
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. I think it’s important to let the investigative process play out before deciding on any impeachment efforts. Transparency and due process should be the priorities here.
As a supporter of immigration enforcement, I’m troubled by this news. However, the use of lethal force must always be a last resort. I hope Secretary Noem can provide a clear explanation for the agent’s actions.
As someone who generally supports the administration’s immigration policies, I’m troubled by this incident. However, I agree that we need a full accounting of what happened before taking such a drastic step as impeachment. I hope Secretary Noem can provide a satisfactory explanation.