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Democrats are pushing to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following a series of violent incidents in Minneapolis, but President Trump has firmly rejected calls for her removal. The Trump administration removed Gregory Bovino, who had been leading the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, after two fatal shootings involving federal agents this month. However, Democrats say removing Bovino isn’t enough and are demanding Noem’s resignation or termination.
House Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have threatened impeachment proceedings against Noem unless Trump fires her first. Three-quarters of House Democrats have already signed onto impeachment articles sponsored by Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois, who declared that “Kristi Noem has blood on her hands.” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer called Noem “a liar,” “vicious” and “incompetent,” demanding Trump fire her “before another American is killed under her watch.”
Trump defended Noem’s performance Tuesday, stating flatly “No” when asked if she would step down and praising her work securing the border. “I think she’s doing a very good job,” the president said.
The controversy centers on recent violence in Minneapolis, including three shootings and two civilian deaths this month. Renee Good was fatally shot after blocking a street and driving her SUV toward an ICE officer.
Days later, Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti under disputed circumstances. Bovino, a senior Border Patrol official who led enforcement surges in multiple cities, was removed from Minnesota following these incidents. Trump called Bovino a “pretty ’out-there’ kind of guy” but rejected characterizations that he was retreating from Minnesota enforcement.
The situation has created additional complications. Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz issued a scathing order accusing ICE of failing to release immigrants as judges ordered, warning his “patience is at an end.” He ordered acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to either orchestrate releases or appear personally in court.
The growing crisis has imperiled funding legislation for the Homeland Security Department, which must pass by midnight Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown. Senate Democrats are using the spending bill as leverage, signaling they will block it until changes limit ICE activities. Left-leaning activist groups like Common Cause have declared “Until Noem is gone, not another penny for ICE.”
White House border czar Tom Homan has been deployed to Minnesota to oversee operations, meeting Tuesday with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who credited “massive organized nonviolent resistance” for the federal pullback.
Read more: DHS’ Noem in crosshairs but Trump says she’s not going anywhere
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