Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem endured sharp questioning Tuesday as she appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for the first time since two fatal shootings during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis ignited national outrage.
The hearing unfolded against a tense backdrop: a partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security amid a funding impasse, rising concerns about domestic security following violence in Texas, and deepening political divisions over President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.
Much of the session focused on the January deaths of Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens, who were shot during a large-scale immigration enforcement surge known as Operation Metro Surge. Hundreds of officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection had been deployed to the state in what DHS initially described as a fraud investigation.
In the immediate aftermath, Noem labeled Pretti’s actions “the definition of domestic terrorism,” drawing fierce criticism. On Tuesday, Sen. Dick Durbin pressed her repeatedly to retract the claim. “You and your agency rushed to brand these victims as, quote, domestic terrorists,” Durbin said, urging her to apologize. Noem declined to do so, saying she relied on preliminary reports from agents at what she described as a chaotic scene involving “violent protesters.” She added that condolences had been offered and that investigations were ongoing, but stopped short of admitting error.
While most Republicans defended the administration’s enforcement push, two GOP senators delivered pointed criticism. Sen. Thom Tillis, who is retiring, blasted Noem’s leadership as a “disaster,” accusing DHS of prioritizing arrest quotas over accuracy. “Quality matters, not quantity,” he said, citing cases in which American citizens were detained. He threatened to stall Senate business and block nominees unless the department provides answers about enforcement operations.
Sen. John Kennedy questioned a roughly $200 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign warning migrants against unlawful entry. The contract went to a Republican consulting firm with ties to Noem. Kennedy suggested the ads boosted her profile more than public safety. Noem denied involvement in selecting the firm and called the campaign “extremely effective.”
The hearing also spotlighted a standoff over DHS funding. Democrats have withheld support for a new appropriations bill unless changes are made to immigration enforcement practices after the Minneapolis deaths. Though last year’s spending package left DHS with substantial reserves, parts of the agency — including FEMA and the TSA — remain affected by the lapse. Some Republicans argued the funding delay poses national security risks, particularly amid tensions with Iran. Sen. Lindsey Graham warned that failing to fully fund DHS could leave the country vulnerable. Democrats, meanwhile, accused DHS of overreach and civil rights violations. Protesters and relatives of detainees attended the hearing, briefly interrupting proceedings before being removed.
Lawmakers also asked whether immigration agents might be deployed to polling places in November after Trump suggested expanding federal involvement in elections. Noem said, “There are no plans to have ICE officers at our polling locations,” adding that states remain responsible for administering elections.
Despite bipartisan skepticism, Trump has publicly backed Noem, even as some Republicans call for her resignation and House Democrats pursue impeachment efforts. She is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee again on Wednesday
For highlights from Noem’s testimony, head HERE.
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