Republican Senators Urge Kristi Noem to Resign as DHS Secretary
Two Republican senators, Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski, have called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign. This announcement marks the first Republican response urging her departure from this position.
Call for Resignation
During a press conference, Sen. Tillis from North Carolina stated, “No, not at all,” when asked about his confidence in Noem. He described her actions as “amateurish” and inappropriate for a Cabinet-level official.
Sen. Murkowski from Alaska also expressed her disbelief in Noem’s capabilities, stating, “Yes, she should go.” Both senators have exhibited a willingness to diverge from party lines regarding the Trump administration.
Context of the Resignation Call
The senators’ comments come in the wake of recent events in Minneapolis, where federal officers shot and killed an individual named Alex Pretti. This incident has intensified scrutiny on Noem’s leadership at DHS.
In response to the shooting, Noem defended the actions of federal officials, claiming Pretti had threatened them with a firearm. However, witness footage challenged this assertion, showing Pretti unarmed during the incident.
Political Reactions
The White House has largely remained silent on the criticism directed at Noem. President Trump did, however, affirm his support for her, describing her accomplishments at the border as significant.
- Trump stated that Noem’s success is due to her teamwork with Border “czar” Tom Homan.
- Homan has recently taken over operations in Minneapolis, replacing Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.
In contrast to the calls for resignation, some senators, including Cynthia Lummis and James Lankford, voiced support for Noem. Lankford suggested implementing policy changes at DHS in light of the Minnesota incident.
Further Legislative Implications
The situation surrounding Noem’s leadership occurs while the Senate navigates a pressing deadline to pass a significant funding bill by Friday. Failure to do so may lead to a partial government shutdown.
Democratic senators have previously indicated a desire for Noem to resign. However, some caution that her replacement may not significantly alter current immigration policies.
Sen. Chris Murphy expressed skepticism about the potential impact of changing the DHS leadership, stating, “The name on the door of DHS doesn’t really matter.”
Discussions continue among senators about the funding bill, with urgency surrounding revisions to the DHS section that addresses immigration enforcement.
As the deadline approaches, leaders emphasize the importance of reaching a consensus. Sen. Brian Schatz remarked that “constructive conversations are happening” regarding the path forward, though the timeline remains uncertain.
