Republican senator Lisa Murkowski on 27/1 stated that homeland security secretary Kristi Noem must be held accountable, criticizing her remarks following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti by a border patrol officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 24/1.

"I voted to confirm her, but now I believe the president needs to reconsider the person holding the position of homeland security secretary. I no longer support her, and perhaps it's time for her to resign", senator Murkowski stated.

Previously, Thom Tillis was the first republican senator to call for Noem's resignation. "I have absolutely no confidence in her. Noem should resign", Tillis said. "If I were in her position, I couldn't think of anything to be proud of over the past year".

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not comment on the senators' calls, but the White House cited president Donald Trump's earlier statement that he still trusts secretary Noem, describing her work on border issues as a "great success".

Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington in 4/2025. *Photo: AP*

Senate republican leader John Thune avoided questions about his confidence in Noem, stating instead that the official serves at the president's discretion and "what's important is that the president trusts his team". Several other republican senators still expressed their support for Noem.

Over 160 House democratic lawmakers have signed impeachment articles for the homeland security secretary, and House democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries supported this effort on 27/1. Many democratic lawmakers believe Noem should resign; however, some warn that her removal would not change current immigration policy.

Regarding the fatal shooting of nurse Pretti, Noem declared him a "domestic terrorist" who drew a gun and intended to "cause the most serious harm to everyone and shoot law enforcement officers". Noem did not provide evidence for these accusations.

Video footage of the confrontation between Pretti and federal agents shows him holding a cell phone, with his other hand empty, before an officer pepper-sprayed and pushed him to the ground. An officer then seized the licensed gun Pretti had tucked into his waistband, before two other agents fired about 10 shots at Pretti while he was kneeling.

Second-by-second events of the officer-involved shooting of a US citizen in Minnesota. *Video: Guardian*

The large-scale immigration crackdown led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis has faced strong backlash. Pretti was the second white US citizen shot dead since federal authorities intensified immigration sweeps in Minnesota in 12/2025. He was also the 6th fatality in the nationwide crackdown launched by president Trump.

By Huyen Le (According to Hill, NBC News)