Democrats are calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign following the fatal shootings of two American citizens by federal agents ICE and CBP. If she does not voluntarily leave her post or if President Donald Trump does not replace her, then they would not shy away from impeachment proceedings, the Democratic side said.
“The violence perpetrated by the Department of Homeland Security against the American people must end immediately. Kristi Noem must be fired immediately or we will begin impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives,” Democratic Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar said in a joint statement this week.
A corresponding resolution has already been signed by more than two thirds of all Democratic MPs. Despite these more than 160 signatures, it is unclear whether a motion for impeachment would even receive the required 218 votes in the House of Representatives.
Conviction and impeachment would require a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Since Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, nothing happens without their support.
Alex Pretti’s death as a turning point
The killing of Alex Pretti last Saturday in Minneapolis by federal officials was a turning point for many Democrats. ICE’s actions have led to nationwide protests in recent days and weeks and sparked anger among many people. A lot of anger is currently directed at the US Department of Homeland Security DHS, which also includes the immigration agency ICE and the border protection agency CBP.
The reason for this is, among other things, Noem’s appearance after Pretti’s death, when she blindly described the government’s version of the incident. However, video recordings soon later proved that this version was a lie.
Under Noem’s leadership, the agency has greatly expanded its immigration operations in the country. The aim of the authority is to fulfill the requirements of President Donald Trump, who promised his voters the largest mass deportation in US history.
Trump is behind Kristi Noem
Over 2.5 million people are said to have left the country since Trump took office in Januarymost of it on a voluntary basis. The violent actions of the federal authorities in Minneapolis have also given Republican politicians pause.
“I think the president needs to take a closer look at who he appointed as homeland security secretary. It’s probably time for her to resign,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska.
Despite all the criticism, President Trump has so far supported his Homeland Security Secretary. She’s doing a fantastic job on the southern border between the USA and Mexico. According to government information, the number of illegal border crossings has fallen by more than 90 percent.
But the criticism of Noem does not subside. Senate Leader John Thune also sees the current debate as an opportunity for ICE to “review the policies and procedures and carefully assess how they are being implemented and put into practice.”
Whether the former governor of the US state of South Dakota’s time in Trump’s government cabinet is really coming to an end is currently pure speculation.