House Dems Move to Impeach Kristi Noem Amid Immigration Shootings

Mounting Pressure on Secretary Noem as Impeachment Resolution Gains Support

Calls for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are escalating in Congress following two high-profile shootings involving immigration officers in Minneapolis. This surge of outrage has prompted Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona to support a formal impeachment process, underlining concerns over constitutional accountability. "This isn’t about policy. It’s about whether officials can ignore the Constitution and place themselves above the law. Impeachment exists for exactly this reason, and I will vote for it," Stanton stated.

As of Tuesday evening, a significant majority of House Democrats—162 of 213—have backed the impeachment resolution introduced by Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly. Among those endorsing the resolution are Arizona Congress members Adelita Grijalva and Yassamin Ansari.

The resolution was submitted on January 14, shortly after the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. Moving forward with the impeachment would require a simple majority in the House, while the Senate would need a two-thirds majority, where Republicans currently hold the upper hand.

The situation further intensified following the shooting of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, by Border Patrol officers over the weekend. This incident has amplified scrutiny on Noem's leadership within the Department of Homeland Security and drawn significant backlash.

Additionally, Sen. Thom Tillis from North Carolina has publicly called for President Trump to remove Noem from her position, labeling her actions as “amateurish” and potentially harmful to the administration. Fellow lawmakers, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, have echoed this call, with Fetterman specifically branding her as “grossly incompetent.”

Reports indicate that Pretti was recording a confrontation between immigration officers and a protester when shots were fired. Contrary to federal assertions, video evidence reveals that Pretti, who held a concealed carry permit, was disarmed and restrained at the time he was shot.

In response to these events, House Homeland Security Chair Andrew Garbarino has announced a hearing set for February 10, where leaders from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol will address the issues at hand. He stressed the importance of “transparency and communication” to alleviate rising tensions.

The articles of impeachment contend that Noem has sanctioned unconstitutional practices, including warrantless arrests and the use of excessive force, while also misusing $200 million designated for an ICE recruitment initiative. The resolution cites the Minneapolis shootings as emblematic of broader issues, including controversies over the use of tear gas during a children's Halloween event in Chicago.

Further allegations against Noem include her prohibition of congressional access to immigration detention facilities, a point raised by Rep. Ansari. Throughout her tenure, Noem has staunchly defended the Trump administration's deportation strategies and decisions involving the use of lethal force in critical incidents.

In defending the shooting of Pretti, Noem claimed he posed a threat to officers, but this narrative is contested by the available video. Similarly, she has referred to Good’s actions as “domestic terrorism,” alleging an attempt to run down an agent—an assertion also challenged by evidence.