Calls for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s impeachment are growing, with eight additional Democrats joining a resolution in the wake of the killing of Alex Pretti. The total number of co-sponsors now stands at 120, according to a spokesperson for Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois.
Kelly’s resolution, which initially had 100 co-sponsors as of January 20, has gained momentum amid nationwide concerns over immigration enforcement practices. Federal officers were deployed to Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge, sparking criticism over the department’s handling of public safety.
Democrats are demanding accountability following Pretti’s death. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said, “The House must immediately take steps to impeach Kristi Noem.” Thompson described the killing as “sick” and accused Noem and President Trump of fostering “purposeful chaos and violence.”
Several other Democrats have called for Noem’s resignation. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida said on X that Noem must step down, arguing that the Department of Homeland Security “cannot be trusted to investigate these killings.” Senators Michael Bennet of Colorado and Peter Welch of Vermont have echoed these demands.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., criticized Noem’s leadership, calling her an “abject failure” and saying the recent abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) show that she has “lost control over her own department and staff.” Rosen added that Noem’s attempt to mislead the public regarding Pretti’s killing was “deeply shameful” and reinforced the case for impeachment.
Other prominent Democrats demanding action include Govs. Kathy Hochul of New York and Gavin Newsom of California, along with Reps. Marc Veasey of Texas and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania.
Noem has defended the actions of federal officers. She claimed that Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a handgun and “violently resisted” their attempts to disarm him. However, eyewitness videos reportedly show Pretti without a firearm in the moments before the shooting. Local authorities confirmed he had a permit to carry a gun.
This is not the first controversy under Noem’s tenure. Earlier this month, Renee Nicole Good was killed in a separate federal officer shooting. Noem claimed Good attempted to harm agents, but cellphone videos and witness accounts cast doubt on that explanation.
The controversy has spilled over into congressional funding debates. Several Democratic senators, including Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Adam Schiff of California, said they would not vote for an appropriations bill containing DHS funding. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Democrats will withhold support for the bill unless major changes are made, raising the possibility of a partial government shutdown if funding is not approved by month’s end.
The surge in impeachment calls and opposition to DHS funding highlights increasing tensions over federal immigration enforcement. Lawmakers argue that Noem’s leadership has failed to provide accountability and that urgent reforms are needed to prevent further misuse of federal authority.
