U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday stood by her characterization of two U.S. citizens shot dead by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis as “domestic terrorism,” refusing to retract the remarks during a combative Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that underscored the political and operational stakes of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Sen. Dick Durbin, the committee’s top Democrat, repeatedly pressed Noem to walk back her statements about Renee Good and Alex Pretti — as well as a similar claim regarding a third citizen who survived being shot five times by federal agents in Chicago — after video evidence later undercut her assertions. Noem declined, saying, “I absolutely strive to provide factual information.”
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The hearing marked Noem’s first congressional appearance since Good and Pretti were killed in separate January incidents that triggered bipartisan criticism and public outrage. The backlash prompted the administration to shift away from large, city-focused enforcement surges toward a more targeted approach. Noem said 650 federal agents remain in Minnesota, down from about 3,000 at the peak of the operation.
Under Noem, thousands of masked agents have swept through U.S. cities searching for immigration violators, often clashing with residents and protesters. The strategy, and a raft of civil-rights allegations, have hardened a funding standoff with congressional Democrats, who are refusing to approve new money for the 260,000-employee department without enforcement changes. While DHS funding lapsed last month, most immigration and national security operations have continued as essential services.
Republicans signaled both support and unease. Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley acknowledged “mistakes have been made” but defended agents, saying they “should never be threatened or harmed while enforcing our laws.” Former President Donald Trump has backed Noem and argued mass deportations are needed after what he calls elevated illegal immigration under President Joe Biden.
House Democrats launched an impeachment effort against Noem in January, accusing DHS under her leadership of violating citizens’ civil rights, blocking oversight of migrant detention centers and steering government work to Republican-affiliated firms. The bid is expected to fail in the GOP-controlled House.
Still, polling points to risks for Republicans in November. A Reuters/Ipsos survey in February found a majority of Americans support deporting immigrants without legal status, but about 60% believe immigration agents have gone too far.
That tension spilled into the hearing’s Republican ranks. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is not seeking reelection, blasted Noem’s swift condemnation of Good and Pretti, arguing it eroded trust in law enforcement. “We’re beginning to get the American people to think that deporting people is wrong. It’s the exact opposite,” he said. “The way you’re going about deporting them is wrong.” He reiterated his call for Noem to resign and said he would block nominations until DHS answers questions about the crackdown and other issues.
Lawmakers from both parties also scrutinized a DHS-funded advertising campaign that reportedly cost $220 million and prominently featured Noem. ProPublica reported a company run by the husband of outgoing DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin benefited from the contract, and that the Strategy Group — with ties to Noem and top aide Corey Lewandowski — was paid $226,000 as a subcontractor to produce ads. Sen. John Kennedy said the campaign boosted Noem’s “name recognition” and “puts the president in a terribly awkward spot.” Noem said she had no role in selecting contractors and was unaware whether Lewandowski benefited; he later told reporters by email he was not paid: “Not one penny.”
Amid the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, Grassley questioned Noem about protecting against potential sleeper cells. She offered few specifics, saying DHS is intensifying social media reviews and interviews of immigrants who previously entered the United States. “We are working every single day to find them and to make sure that we’re preventing the next attack,” Noem said.
Noem is scheduled to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
