A political firestorm is engulfing Washington as Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada spearheads a burgeoning movement to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The calls for Noem’s removal come in the wake of a controversial fatal shooting in Minneapolis and mounting accusations of misconduct within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
A Senator’s Scathing Indictment
Senator Rosen, known for her moderate stance and previous bipartisan efforts to end a government shutdown, has delivered a scathing indictment of Secretary Noem’s leadership. In a statement to The Associated Press, Rosen declared Noem an “abject failure” at the helm of DHS, accusing her of attempting to “mislead the American public” regarding the Minneapolis incident. “Kristi Noem’s conduct is deeply shameful,” Rosen asserted, adding that she “must be impeached and removed from office immediately.”
Rosen’s strong words reflect a growing fury among congressional Democrats, many of whom have vowed to block funding for DHS, risking another partial government shutdown. While a House resolution for impeachment has garnered over 100 Democratic co-sponsors, Rosen’s outspoken demand marks a significant escalation from the Senate, particularly from a moderate voice.
The Minneapolis Tragedy: A Contradictory Narrative
The immediate catalyst for this political maelstrom is the fatal shooting of 37-year-old protester Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. Secretary Noem swiftly defended the agent’s actions, characterizing them as “defensive” and claiming Pretti “approached them with a gun” to “inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement.”
However, videos of the scene reviewed by The Associated Press appear to contradict the administration’s narrative. While Pretti was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, footage reportedly shows him with only a phone in his hand. During a subsequent scuffle, agents discovered his 9mm semiautomatic handgun and opened fire, striking him multiple times, including in the back. Officials have not confirmed if Pretti ever brandished the weapon. This incident, alongside the shooting of Renee Good on January 7, has profoundly shifted the debate on immigration and border issues, even among previously wary moderate Democrats.
Beyond the Shooting: Allegations of Misconduct
Senator Rosen’s impeachment call extends beyond the Minneapolis shooting, encompassing broader allegations against Secretary Noem. Rosen cited Noem for “violating the public trust by wasting millions in taxpayer dollars” on self-promotion. Furthermore, she highlighted reports that the Coast Guard, under Noem’s purview, purchased two luxury jets valued at $172 million, raising questions about fiscal responsibility and priorities.
Congressional Fury Escalates
The sentiment in the Senate is far from isolated. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, a prominent left-leaning Democrat, previously called for impeachment proceedings, accusing Noem of “orchestrating… almost vigilantism on the part of ICE agents terrorizing cities all across the country.”
Crucially, several moderate Democrats who had previously sided with Rosen in bipartisan efforts to reopen the government last year are now aligning against DHS funding. Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto condemned DHS for “brutalizing U.S. citizens and law-abiding immigrants,” while Virginia Senator Tim Kaine starkly stated, “we are not living in normal times.”
The momentum for impeachment is also building rapidly in the House. Following a private call with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, numerous House Democrats voiced their support for Noem’s impeachment. New York Representative Laura Gillen, one of only seven House Democrats who voted to fund DHS just last week, now insists on immediate accountability. “She is not focused on safety or border security; she’s focused on chaos and self-promotion, undermining local law enforcement and stoking violence as a result,” Gillen posted on X.
Bipartisan Calls for Transparency
Amidst the administration’s immediate defense of the shooting, a notable crack in party lines has emerged. Republican Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana have both publicly called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the Minneapolis incident, signaling a potential bipartisan demand for answers.
As the January 30 deadline for a spending bill looms, the escalating Democratic outrage threatens to derail Senate Republican leaders’ hopes for a swift approval, potentially plunging the government into another partial shutdown. The fate of Secretary Noem and the future of DHS funding now hang precariously in the balance, underscoring a rapidly intensifying political crisis.
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