President Donald Trump publicly defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem against criticism from Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski, who demanded her resignation following violent encounters involving DHS and ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Reports emerged this week that Trump has shifted Noem's focus to border security, stripping her of internal enforcement duties. The president has deployed White House "border czar" Tom Homan to oversee operations in Minnesota.
On Tuesday, when asked if Noem would step down, Trump simply shook his head and said, "No."
The issue has sparked heated debate among GOP lawmakers, with some expressing concern that the backlash could tarnish a key issue for the party ahead of the upcoming midterms.
As reported by The Daily Mail, two tragic incidents in Minnesota have fueled the controversy, starting with the death of Renee Good, a poet and mother, who was shot through her car windshield by an ICE agent after clipping the officer with her vehicle. Just over two weeks later, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at a VA hospital, was killed by a DHS agent during a street altercation. These events have shifted public focus from border crossings to violent domestic enforcement scenes.
Democrats have seized on the incidents, intensifying calls this month for Noem’s impeachment over what they describe as a mishandled response to the deaths of American citizens. Even within the GOP, unnamed lawmakers worry that ongoing protests could lead to further violence. The party’s once-strong position on immigration enforcement now appears vulnerable.
Trump didn’t hold back when addressing his party’s dissenters, targeting Tillis and Murkowski with pointed criticism for their stance on Noem. “You know, what can I tell you? They’re terrible senators,” he told ABC News.
That kind of rhetoric shows Trump’s frustration with senators he sees as disloyal, especially on an issue as central to his base as immigration policy. Tillis, who has decided not to run for reelection, and Murkowski, who often diverges from party lines, have both expressed a complete loss of confidence in Noem’s leadership at DHS.
Tillis went as far as calling Noem’s handling of Minnesota operations “amateurish” and urged the administration to show respect to affected communities. Murkowski criticized Noem’s inflammatory remarks, including labeling Pretti a “domestic terrorist,” arguing they’ve only worsened tensions in Minneapolis. Both senators stand firm that Noem must be held accountable.
A Daily Mail/JL Partners poll taken this week reveals Noem’s approval rating at a dismal 33%, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with her tenure. For a party that views immigration as its strongest policy ground, akin to health care for Democrats, this is a bitter pill to swallow.
An unnamed senator told Politico that immigration should be a “home game” for Republicans, yet viral images of Americans shot in broad daylight have flipped the narrative. The party’s messaging, once focused on border security, now grapples with defending enforcement tactics on U.S. soil.
Trump’s decision to send Tom Homan to Minneapolis on Monday signals a tactical shift, prioritizing experienced leadership on the ground over Noem’s direct oversight. While she remains in her post, her reduced role in internal enforcement suggests even the administration acknowledges the need for course correction.
The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti are heartbreaking reminders of the high stakes in immigration enforcement, and the public deserves clarity on how such tragedies occurred. While accountability matters, the rush by some in the GOP to oust Noem risks fracturing party unity at a critical moment.
Critics like Tillis and Murkowski argue that Noem’s missteps make the administration appear weak on a winning issue, but Trump’s loyalty to his appointee sends a message of defiance against internal dissent. Balancing these tensions will test the GOP’s ability to maintain credibility on law and order.
Ultimately, the Minnesota incidents highlight deeper questions about how federal enforcement engages with communities. Noem’s future at DHS may hinge on whether Homan can stabilize the situation, but for now, Trump’s support keeps her in the fight. The coming weeks will reveal if this gamble pays off or further erodes public trust.