Democratic lawmakers say an impeachment push targeting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem will proceed following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.
“We’re gonna move forward to impeach Kristi Noem,” Rep. Angie Craig, a Minnesota Democrat, said Sunday during an interview with MS Now.
A DHS spokesperson previously dismissed the effort as “silly,” pointing to data the department says shows a sharp rise in assaults on ICE agents. Newsweek contacted DHS again Monday morning for additional comment.
Why It Matters
The death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot by a federal agent identified as Jonathan E. Ross in Minneapolis on January 7, has intensified public and political scrutiny of ICE tactics and oversight. Critics argue the incident reflects broader issues with agency conduct, while others say the agent acted in self-defense.
Even if Democratic lawmakers move forward, the effort faces long odds: Republicans control the House, and the Senate—also controlled by Republicans—would require a two-thirds vote to convict.
What To Know
In an interview with MS Now anchor Ali Velshi over the weekend, Craig described Good’s death as deeply troubling, saying “none of this makes sense,” and reiterated that Democrats intend to advance impeachment efforts.
Separately, Rep. Delia Ramirez, an Illinois Democrat, told MS NOW The Weekend that Noem is “incompetent in her entire job.” Ramirez added that the shooting has pushed more people to demand action, including hearings and what she described as a faster path to impeachment.
The comments followed an announcement last Wednesday from Rep. Robin Kelly, an Illinois Democrat, who said she plans to introduce articles of impeachment against Noem, citing Noem’s oversight of ICE operations after the Minnesota shooting.
“Secretary Kristi Noem is an incompetent leader, a disgrace to our democracy, and I am impeaching her,” Kelly said in a press release.
After Kelly’s announcement, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, another Illinois Democrat, said he would support the effort. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat, has also joined as a cosponsor.
Kelly’s office said the three articles of impeachment would accuse Noem of: abusing her office for personal benefit and steering federal dollars to associates; willfully obstructing congressional oversight and withholding congressionally appropriated funds in violation of her oath and federal law; and compromising public safety, violating due process for American citizens, and directing unconstitutional actions.
What Happened in Minneapolis
In the days since Good’s death, multiple videos have circulated showing the moments surrounding the shooting. DHS and Noem have alleged Good struck Ross and used her vehicle as a weapon, describing the incident as “domestic terrorism.”
Local officials and national Democrats have disputed that characterization, arguing the video suggests Good was trying to drive away. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the accusations against Good “bulls***,” and demanded ICE “get the f*** out” of the city.
Protests have taken place in Minneapolis and in other cities following the shooting.
Good was born in Colorado and had recently moved to Minnesota. Public records indicate no criminal history beyond a traffic ticket.
On social media, Good described herself as a “poet and writer and wife and mom.” Her Instagram bio said she was “experiencing Minneapolis” and included a pride flag emoji. A Pinterest profile photo shows her smiling with a young child pressed to her cheek, alongside posts about tattoos, hairstyles, and home décor.
In a statement to MPR News last week, Good’s wife, Becca Good, said: “Renee lived by an overarching belief: there is kindness in the world and we need to do everything we can to find it where it resides and nurture it where it needs to grow. Renee was a Christian who knew that all religions teach the same essential truth: we are here to love each other, care for each other, and keep each other safe and whole.”
What People Are Saying
A DHS spokesperson told Newsweek regarding the impeachment plan: “How silly during a serious time. As ICE officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, Rep. Kelly is more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually cleaning up her crime-ridden Chicago district. We hope she would get serious about doing her job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem.”
Noem said on Fox News Sunday this past weekend: “It’s really, really horrific that we have elected officials that are using this as an opportunity to divide, using this to promote an agenda that fundamentally would take away our freedoms and our liberties in this country.”
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in a statement to Newsweek about Good’s killing, said: “Before all the facts were even known, Secretary Noem was already accusing the victim of domestic terrorism. The preliminary video evidence tells a very different story, one where deadly violence could easily have been avoided.”
What Happens Next
It’s not yet clear when or how the articles of impeachment would advance in the House. Given the current makeup of Congress, they are widely expected to face steep obstacles. Meanwhile, protests against ICE and the Trump administration are expected to continue in Minnesota and elsewhere.
