Top House Democrats are threatening to pursue impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem unless President Donald Trump removes her immediately, following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti. The move comes as even some moderate Republicans say they have lost confidence in Noem.
In a joint statement Tuesday, House Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, warned that Congress could trigger an impeachment vote without any Republican support. Democrats criticized Noem and the DHS for what they called a “killing spree” in Minnesota, saying taxpayer dollars were being used to “kill American citizens, brutalize communities and violently target law-abiding immigrant families.”
Two moderate Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and retiring Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, also expressed support for Noem’s removal. The bipartisan criticism marks a rare moment of congressional unease with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics.
The shift comes after a second deadly shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis in the same month. Federal law enforcement officials have faced scrutiny for their handling of the incidents, prompting House Democrats to see a unique opportunity to challenge Noem’s leadership.
Inside the White House, multiple sources say Noem’s job is not immediately at risk, though officials expressed frustration over how she and Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino managed the fallout from Pretti’s death. President Trump reportedly spent several hours reviewing media coverage of the shooting and was displeased with how the administration appeared to the public.
Noem coordinated closely with White House aides, including Stephen Miller, on the messaging following the shooting. She initially described Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” and claimed he had brandished a firearm — claims that came under intense scrutiny after video footage contradicted official statements. Trump later distanced himself from Noem and Miller’s rhetoric.
Democrats are now using the impeachment threat as leverage to push for broader reforms of DHS. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democrats are considering withholding support for a major federal funding package until the administration agrees to changes, including body cameras for agents, independent investigations, and an end to “roving patrols.”
Rep. Tom Suozzi, a centrist Democrat, apologized for previously voting to fund DHS and said he now recognizes the need for stricter oversight of ICE operations in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, top Democratic lawmakers are preparing to hold high-profile hearings to spotlight federal immigration enforcement tactics ahead of the November elections.
Despite these pressures, some Democrats remain cautious, fearing that a focus on immigration may not resonate with voters more concerned about rising prices and economic issues. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has warned against making changes to the DHS funding bill that could stall approval of the broader government funding package.
Negotiations between Democrats, Republicans, and the White House are ongoing as Congress faces a critical funding deadline. Lawmakers from both parties are weighing how to balance calls for accountability with the need to prevent another government shutdown.
The impeachment threat against Noem underscores a rare moment of bipartisan scrutiny over federal immigration enforcement and signals mounting congressional pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
