Moderate Sen. Jacky Rosen urges Noem’s impeachment as Dem fury grows over Minneapolis shooting
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen is calling for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying she believes Noem is trying to “mislead the American public.” fatal shot Photo of a 37-year-old protester in Minneapolis.
Call from Rosen, a Nevada moderate who is part of the group Helped Republicans end 43-day government shutdown Last year comes in the middle of an era Congressional Democrats’ anger grows There were also those who vowed to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The House resolution to initiate impeachment proceedings against Noem has the support of more than 100 Democrats, but so far few Senate Democrats have weighed in on the resolution.
“Kristi Noem has failed miserably in leading the Department of Homeland Security over the past year — and the abuses of power we have seen from ICE are the latest evidence that she has lost control of her own department and staff,” Rosen said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Rosen said Noem’s behavior was “deeply disgraceful” and that she “should be impeached and removed from office immediately.”
An impeachment trial is unlikely in the GOP-controlled Congress, but rising Democratic anger over the violence on the streets of Minneapolis is sure to disrupt Senate Republican leaders’ hopes of quickly approving a sweeping spending bill this week and averting a partial government shutdown on Jan. 30.
Some moderate Democrats We were careful last year Criticizing Trump administration on border and immigration issues, deadly shootings in Minneapolis Alex is beautiful on Saturday and Renee Good on January 7 transformed the debateEven among moderates like Rosen.
Noem defends deadly attack
The senator’s call for impeachment followed Noem’s swift defense without a full investigation into the fatal shooting of Pretti by a Border Patrol agent. Crime scene videos reviewed by The Associated Press It appears to contradict the Trump administration’s statements that the shots were fired “defensively” as Pretti “approached” him with a gun. Pretti had a license to carry a concealed weapon, but in the videos he can only be seen holding a phone.
During the struggle, agents noticed he was carrying a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun and fired multiple shots, including into the back. Authorities did not say whether Pretti brandished the gun.
Noem said Pretti came “to disrupt a law enforcement operation.”
“This appears to be a situation where an individual arrives on the scene to inflict maximum harm on individuals and kill law enforcement,” Noem said Sunday.
In his call for Noem’s impeachment, Rosen also touched on other issues beyond current ICE operations. He said Noem also “violated the public trust by spending millions of taxpayer dollars on self-promotion,” citing reports that the Coast Guard bought her two luxury jets worth $172 million.
Senate outrage over ICE violence
Rosen’s statement follows that of Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, one of the more left-leaning members of the Senate Democratic caucus. Markey said last week that Congress should begin impeachment proceedings against Noem, who “is now carrying out this almost vigilant stance on the streets of our country that has ICE agents terrorizing cities across the country.”
While other senators stopped short of calling for Noem’s impeachment. Several moderate Democrats joining Rosen In last year’s vote to reopen the government, they said they would vote against Homeland Security funding this week, even if it meant shutting down the government.
Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said DHS “brutalizes U.S. citizens and law-abiding immigrants.” “We are not living in normal times,” said Virginia Senator Tim Kaine.
While administration officials immediately defended the attack, many Republicans, including Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, called for a thorough investigation.
House Democrats increasingly support impeaching Noem
Calls for Noem’s impeachment also grew louder in the House after the Democratic caucus had phone calls with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and state Attorney General Keith Ellison, both former congressmen, according to a person familiar with the private call who asked not to be named to discuss the matter.
Most House Democratic lawmakers who spoke during the meeting called for Noem’s impeachment, said another person familiar with the call who insisted on anonymity to discuss the matter.
New York Representative Laura Gillen, a Democrat, one of seven Democrats in the House Voted last week to fund the Department of Homeland SecurityHe said in a statement Sunday that “there must be accountability, so Secretary Noem must be removed from office immediately.”
“He doesn’t focus on security or border security; he focuses on chaos and self-promotion, undermining local law enforcement and, as a result, fueling violence,” Gillen said in a post on X.
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AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
