Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) has ignited a firestorm by calling for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her handling of recent deadly incidents in Minneapolis.
Sen. Welch made his remarks Monday during an interview on MS NOW’s “Ana Cabrera Reports,” criticizing Noem’s response to fatal federal officer-involved shootings this month. The incidents involved Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both 37-year-old Minneapolis residents, who died while protesting immigration operations in the city.
Welch stated he would support impeachment if Noem refuses to resign, while the Democratic Party’s official account on X echoed the sentiment on Sunday, urging her ouster, The Hill reported.
The issue has sparked intense debate over the role of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in immigration enforcement and public safety. While Welch and other Democrats push for accountability, DHS defenders argue the agency is simply following congressional mandates.
Welch didn’t hold back, alleging that Noem prioritizes personal branding over duty. “Noem’s got to go. I mean, we have the head of this department who spends a lot of her time in self-promotion, the $200 million video shoot in Mount Rushmore,” he said. Such accusations of misplaced focus during a crisis are tough to ignore when lives are lost.
But is this just political theater? The claim of a $200 million video project raises eyebrows—sounds like a hefty price tag for optics while Minneapolis mourns. If true, it’s a glaring misstep for a leader tasked with securing the homeland, not staging photo ops.
The deaths of Good and Pretti have intensified scrutiny of DHS’s immigration operations, which Welch described as heavy-handed. He argues the approach veers into intimidation rather than lawful enforcement. It’s a fair question: Are these operations protecting communities or escalating tensions?
Welch went further, accusing Noem of turning enforcement into a “shock troop” presence in cities. “She’s blown the job. You know, we need immigration enforcement, but that’s not what she’s doing,” he added. If enforcement looks more like a show of force than a solution, public trust erodes fast.
DHS, however, isn’t taking the criticism lying down. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin countered that the agency enforces laws as written by Congress. Her point is clear: If lawmakers dislike the outcomes, they should rewrite the rules.
McLaughlin’s response cuts to the core of the divide. “If certain members don’t like those laws, changing them is literally their job,” she said. It’s a sharp reminder that Congress, not DHS, holds the pen on policy.
Yet Welch and his allies seem more focused on pinning blame than drafting fixes. Calling the deceased “domestic terrorists,” as Noem allegedly did, doesn’t exactly build bridges with grieving communities. It’s a label that inflames rather than explains.
Immigration enforcement is a thorny issue, no doubt. Policies must balance security with humanity, especially when protests turn deadly. The Minneapolis tragedy underscores the need for clarity on how far federal authority should stretch in urban centers.
Welch isn’t alone in his crusade, as he’s the latest Democrat to demand Noem’s impeachment. The party’s X post screaming for her removal shows a unified front. But will this momentum translate to action, or is it just noise?
Public confidence in DHS leadership, as Welch claims, appears shaky at best. When a senator says “no one has confidence” in the secretary, it’s a damning indictment. Still, confidence isn’t law, and impeachment requires more than angry tweets.
McLaughlin’s defense of enforcing existing laws suggests DHS won’t bow to pressure easily. This standoff is far from over.