Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ) released a statement Tuesday demanding the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following another fatality involving federal immigration enforcement.
The statement comes amid growing bipartisan frustration over the Trump administration's response to the recent deadly shootings in Minnesota involving Alex Jeffrey Pretti and Renee Nicole Good.
"After yet another death at the hands of federal immigration agents, Secretary Kristi Noem's response has been as reckless and disqualifying as her broader incompetence and mismanagement at DHS," Stanton wrote.
Rep. Stanton pointed to longstanding concerns about Noem, citing previous allegations regarding her management of federal emergency response.
"Last year, I presented evidence of her mismanagement and corruption at FEMA and called for her removal," Stanton said. "Since then, Kristi Noem has defied Congress and court orders, and lied repeatedly about the killings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good at the hands of federal agents."
Because Trump has not dismissed Noem, Stanton believes Congress must act.
"President Trump has refused to fire her, so Congress must impeach her," he stated.
"This isn't about policy. It's about whether officials can ignore the Constitution and place themselves above the law," he explained. "Impeachment exists for exactly this reason, and I will vote for it," he continued.
Stance on Recent Immigration Operations
The congressman also explained his stance on systemic changes to federal immigration operations.
"We also need real reform - immigration enforcement subject to the same accountability as local police, and genuine oversight of DHS," Stanton said. "If my Republican colleagues won't provide it, Democrats will use every constitutional means available to hold those who break the law accountable."
According to CNN, Noem communicated with White House officials, including Stephen Miller, after the shooting. She received messaging guidance for her press conference, including talking points about Pretti and a weapon.
After more videos emerged and Noem's statements faced criticism, President Trump publicly disagreed with the descriptions his officials had used, stating Pretti was not an "assassin" and saying he hadn't heard the "domestic terrorist" label.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) called the Minnesota shooting a significant moment for ICE operations and declined to state whether he had confidence in Noem.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Democrats will withhold votes on a government funding bill, set to expire late on Friday, until the White House commits to immigration enforcement reforms.
Currently, the Senate must act on the package by then to avoid a partial government shutdown
Stanton joins a growing number of Democrats pursuing impeachment proceedings against Noem. The list consists of, but not limited to:
- Hakeem Sekou Jeffries (D-NY)
- Katherine Marlea Clark (D-MA)
- Pete Aguilar (D-CA)
- Robin Lynne Kelly (D-IL)
- Brittany Pettersen (D-CO)
- Diana Louise DeGette (D-CO)
- John Barber Larson (D-CT)
- Bennie Gordon Thompson (D-MS)
