Democratic Senator John Fetterman has called on President Donald Trump to immediately fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers in Minnesota.
In a statement, Fetterman said:
“President Trump: I make a direct appeal to immediately fire Secretary Noem. Americans have died. She is betraying DHS’s core mission and trashing your border security legacy. Do not make the same mistake President Biden made by refusing to fire a grossly incompetent DHS secretary.”
Fetterman’s comments are notable given his past support for parts of Trump’s border agenda. He was one of seven Democrats who voted to confirm Noem as DHS secretary last year and has said he would not support blocking DHS funding, even if it risked a government shutdown.
However, Fetterman has strongly criticized federal actions in Minneapolis, particularly “Operation Metro Surge.” In a statement issued Sunday, he said the operation should be halted immediately:
“Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti should still be alive. My family grieves for theirs. This operation has become an ungovernable and dangerous urban theater for civilians and law enforcement that is incompatible with the American spirit.”
Other Democrats have gone further, calling for Noem’s impeachment or resignation after she labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist” without providing evidence. While the White House initially expressed full confidence in Noem, press secretary Karoline Leavitt later distanced President Trump from her remarks.
“I have not heard the president characterize Mr. Pretti in that way,” Leavitt said, adding that Trump wanted the investigation to “play out.”
Meanwhile, Kyle Rittenhouse urged gun owners to “carry everywhere” in response to criticism from Trump administration officials over Pretti being armed at the time of his death. Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was legally carrying a firearm and was a U.S. citizen.
Rittenhouse’s comments drew attention due to his own history: he fatally shot two people during protests in Wisconsin in 2020 following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. He was later acquitted, arguing self-defense.
On Sunday, the National Rifle Association joined other pro-Trump gun advocacy groups in calling for a “full investigation” into Pretti’s killing, emphasizing his legal right to carry a firearm under the US Constitution.
In a separate interview on WABC radio, Trump said his recent calls with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey were “very good” and “very respectful.” Trump suggested a compromise was possible, saying:
“What we need is their criminals. If they give us the criminals, it all goes away. They’re there to pick up murderers.”
Walz responded by stating that Minnesota already cooperates with federal immigration authorities and urged Trump to withdraw federal agents from the state.
“President Trump, you can end this today,” Walz said. “Pull these folks back. Do humane, focused, effective immigration control.”
Police reported that about 26 people were arrested Monday night after protesters gathered outside a Minneapolis hotel where Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino was believed to be staying.
Bovino, who has become the public face of the administration’s Minnesota crackdown, has faced growing calls for his removal after claiming—without evidence—that Pretti was planning to “massacre law enforcement officers.” Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis today.