Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has ignited a firestorm by calling for the ouster of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after her controversial remarks following a fatal incident in Minnesota.
On Monday, Tillis became the first Senate Republican to demand Noem’s removal after she labeled Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a Minneapolis-area Veterans Affairs hospital, a “domestic terrorist” without evidence over the weekend. Pretti was shot multiple times by a Border Patrol agent, with video footage showing him holding a cellphone before being pepper-sprayed, pushed to the ground, and ultimately fired upon by officers while kneeling and then lying on the pavement. Tillis has since communicated his concerns directly to President Trump and the White House.
According to The Hill, the incident has sparked intense debate over law enforcement tactics and the leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. Critics argue that Noem’s hasty characterization of Pretti, combined with her broader track record, raises serious questions about her fitness for the role. Tillis has also pointed to her handling of other issues, like hurricane relief in North Carolina, as further evidence of mismanagement.
“What she’s done in Minnesota should be disqualifying. She should be out of a job,” Tillis declared, pulling no punches in his assessment of Noem’s actions.
Let’s unpack that. Labeling a citizen as a terrorist without a shred of evidence isn’t just a misstep—it’s a reckless abuse of power that muddies the waters on serious policy discussions like immigration, where President Trump has fought hard for a strong stance.
Tillis didn’t stop there, also aiming for Noem’s overall competence. Her refusal to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee, despite a scheduled appearance on March 3, only adds fuel to the fire. North Carolina, still reeling from Hurricane Helene’s flooding around Asheville, has felt the sting of her inadequate response to disaster relief.
The video of Pretti’s death is hard to watch and harder to justify. It shows an officer removing a legally carried firearm from Pretti’s beltline before two others fired roughly 10 shots as he knelt and then lay on the ground. This isn’t the de-escalation we expect from law enforcement tasked with protecting communities.
Tillis echoed this sentiment, slamming the lack of restraint. “They got to de-escalate there and treat these communities with some respect,” he urged. It’s a fair point—escalation to deadly force should never be the default.
Then there’s the role of Gregory Bovino, the now-removed Border Patrol commander at-large, whom Tillis suggested should retire far away in California. If leadership fails at multiple levels, from field commanders to cabinet secretaries, how can the public trust the system?
The political ramifications are piling up fast. More than 160 House Democrats have signed onto articles of impeachment against Noem, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) lending his support on Tuesday. While Tillis stopped short of backing impeachment, calling it a “management decision,” his frustration is palpable.
Noem’s defenders might argue she’s under fire for being tough on security, but that excuse doesn’t hold water when her words inflame without facts. Her premature judgment on Pretti distracts from real debates over border policy and public safety. It’s a self-inflicted wound. Tillis has been vocal about how this misstep harms the broader agenda. A strong immigration message, one of President Trump’s key victories, is now overshadowed by what he calls amateurish leadership at Homeland Security.
What does this mean for the department Noem leads? When trust erodes between communities and the agencies meant to serve them, dangerous situations only multiply. Tillis’s critique that Noem exposes both ICE officers and citizens to risk isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a warning.
The path forward requires accountability, not knee-jerk labels or stonewalling Congress. If Noem can’t de-escalate tensions, whether in Minnesota or before the Senate Judiciary Committee, her presence becomes a liability to the very policies she’s supposed to champion.
Ultimately, Tillis’s call for her removal isn’t about personal vendettas—it’s about preserving the integrity of a department critical to national security. The question remains whether President Trump will heed this rare Republican pushback and demand better from his team. For now, the Minneapolis tragedy stands as a stark reminder of what’s at stake when leadership falters.