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WASHINGTON D.C. — Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem underwent a grueling interrogation Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle condemned her handling of recent immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.
The hearing, Noem’s first since the Minneapolis raids began in December, centered on the high-profile deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and allegations of fiscal mismanagement within the department.
“Leadership a Disaster”: Republicans Demand Resignation
The most blistering critique came from within Noem’s own party. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) called for her immediate resignation, labeling her tenure a “disaster” and accusing the department of reckless disregard for the facts.
“Innocent people getting detained that turn out are American citizens,” Tillis said during a fiery exchange. “Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti probably should not have been shot in the face and in the back. You don’t protect law enforcement by not looking after the facts.”
Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) focused his ire on a $200 million ad campaign featuring Noem, produced by a Republican consulting firm with alleged ties to DHS leadership. While Noem defended the ads as “extremely effective” at deterring illegal entry, Kennedy dismissed them as a taxpayer-funded branding exercise. “They were effective in your name recognition,” Kennedy quipped, questioning the use of a quarter-billion dollars during a period of intense fiscal recession.
NEW: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem addresses the massive fraud scandal in Minnesota during a Senate oversight hearing on Capitol Hill.
“Those investigators will continue to stay there to get to the bottom of that fraud, to make sure that those vulnerable people that rely on those… pic.twitter.com/18wDzDXP03
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 3, 2026
“Devoid of Moral Compass”: Democrats Challenge Domestic Terror Labels
Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) pressed Noem on her initial characterization of the slain civilians. Noem had previously labeled Good and Pretti as “domestic terrorists,” a claim she walked back only after video evidence of the shooting emerged.
When asked by Durbin if she would officially retract the statements, Noem pivoted to offering condolences. “These are tragic situations,” she stated, stopping short of a formal retraction of the “terrorist” label.
“Under your leadership, the Homeland Security Department has been devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law,” Durbin countered, noting that the department’s actions in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis have shattered public trust.
A Department in Crisis
The hearing occurred while DHS remains under a partial government shutdown due to a congressional funding lapse. Despite the lack of a budget, the department has continued high-intensity operations, including the controversial Minnesota surge, even as the U.S. engages in joint military strikes with Israel against Iran.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) offered a more measured tone, acknowledging that “mistakes” were made by immigration agents while maintaining that officers should not face threats while enforcing the law. However, the prevailing sentiment of the hearing suggests that Noem’s standing with Congress has reached a critical breaking point.