Sen. John Fetterman issued a blunt call for the immediate removal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, directing his message straight at President Donald Trump and accusing the DHS chief of mishandling federal immigration enforcement in the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
“I make a direct appeal to immediately fire @Sec_Noem,” Fetterman wrote, explicitly addressing Trump. “Americans have died. She is betraying DHS’s core mission and trashing your border security legacy. DO NOT make the mistake President Biden made for not firing a grossly incompetent DHS Secretary.”
In Fetterman’s view, the stakes are not just political — they’re life-and-death. His message framed Noem’s leadership as a direct threat to public safety and to the credibility of federal enforcement agencies, arguing that her continued tenure undermines the department’s mission and the administration’s broader security agenda.
Fallout From the Pretti Shooting
Fetterman’s comments follow the January 24 shooting of Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who was killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. The incident triggered protests and public outrage, with bystander videos fueling debate over what happened in the moments before he was shot — including claims that he appeared to be holding a phone rather than a weapon.
The controversy has placed renewed pressure on DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, sharpening questions around oversight, accountability, and civil-rights protections in federal enforcement operations.
Impeachment Push Gains Momentum
Fetterman’s demand also lands as congressional Democrats escalate pressure on Noem. Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois introduced articles of impeachment last week, and roughly 100 House Democrats have reportedly signed on as co-sponsors.
The resolution alleges misconduct and abuse of power, including claims of aggressive enforcement tactics, obstruction of congressional oversight, violations of public trust, and self-dealing. It also points to accusations that ICE practices trampled constitutional protections and that contracts were steered toward associates of senior DHS officials. Kelly has argued that the growing list of supporters reflects rising public and legislative scrutiny — especially after enforcement incidents that resulted in civilian deaths.
DHS has rejected the effort, and Noem has defended her leadership, maintaining that her statements and decisions have been grounded in fact and that she remains focused on her duties.
A Message Meant for the Top
By tagging Trump directly, Fetterman appeared to be aiming beyond routine criticism and toward an immediate decision at the highest level — portraying Noem as an ongoing liability to both public safety and border-security policy.
His demand adds to a widening national argument over how federal agencies conduct enforcement, how civil liberties are protected in those operations, and what accountability looks like when civilians die in encounters involving federal officers.
