Noem faces cross-party demands to step down after fatal federal incident in Minneapolis
On Tuesday, leading Democratic lawmakers issued a formal demand to President Donald Trump that he remove Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her post, threatening to begin impeachment proceedings if he does not act. The ultimatum follows controversy over recent federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis that resulted in the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, together with Democratic leaders including Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar, publicly called for Noem’s dismissal, characterizing actions by the Department of Homeland Security as unacceptable and indicating that impeachment would follow if the secretary remains. Trump publicly reaffirmed his support for Noem, saying earlier on Tuesday that she was performing well and asserting that the U.S. border remained secure.
The push against Noem has gained traction beyond Democratic circles, with Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis also saying she should resign. Amid widening political fallout, the Trump administration has begun adjusting its approach to federal enforcement activities in Minneapolis, including shifting leadership of such operations.
Separately, political violence emerged as another flashpoint in Minneapolis when Congresswoman Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance during a town hall meeting, an act that was condemned across party lines while authorities investigate the incident.
The controversy has also prompted criticism from within the Republican Party. Some GOP figures have publicly rebuked the administration’s handling of the Minneapolis incident, with calls for independent investigations and questions about enforcement practices that have become a broader national debate.
Overall, these developments reflect intensified scrutiny of federal immigration policy enforcement and its political repercussions, with lawmakers debating accountability and congressional authority amid ongoing public and bipartisan reactions.