Fetterman Demands Trump Fire Kristi Noem

Topline

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., called on President Donald Trump to fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Tuesday over her response to Alex Pretti’s killing in Minneapolis, a notable rebuke from a Democrat who has broken with his party in the past to support ICE and some of Trump’s deportation policies.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., talks with reporters in the Senate subway on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Key Facts

Noem is “betraying DHS’s core mission and trashing your border security legacy” Fetterman wrote on X, tagging Trump and calling Noem “grossly incompetent.”

Fetterman called for “the operation in Minneapolis to stand down and immediately end” in a statement Monday, referring to himself as a “very pro-immigration Democrat” who believes “our nation deserves a secure border and that we should deport all criminal migrants.”

Fetterman joins a growing chorus of bipartisan criticism of Noem, who immediately demonized Pretti in the wake of his killing, claiming he “attacked” federal agents and was “brandishing” a gun, despite video evidence showing neither in the moments before he was shot.

Rumors that Noem was on the outs with Trump have swirled for months and escalated in the wake of Pretti’s death after Trump sidelined Noem and her ally, Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Greg Bovino, by sending Border Czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis on Monday.

Chief Critic

“I disagree with Secretary Noem’s premature DHS response, which came before all the facts were known and weakened confidence,” Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, wrote Monday on X, adding, “those responsible—no matter their title—must be held accountable. Officials who rush to judgment before all the facts are known undermine public trust and the law-enforcement mission.”

Contra

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday Trump still has the “utmost confidence and trust” in Noem.

Tangent

Fetterman has broken with his party in saying he will not vote to shut the government down this week, even if the appropriations bill that needs to be passed before the Jan. 30 deadline includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Senate Democratic leadership has called for DHS funding to be stripped from the package and renegotiated separately in the wake of Pretti’s shooting, warning they will vote against it otherwise.

What To Watch For

At least 140 House Democrats have signed a resolution calling for Noem’s impeachment in the wake of Pretti’s death. At least a dozen others have called for her to resign. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also demanded Monday Noem be fired.

Key Background

Video footage of Pretti’s killing contradicts claims from Noem and other Trump officials who have sought to blame him for the shooting by claiming he attended the protest with the intention of harming federal agents. Pretti was seen filming immigration agents with his cellphone in one hand and the other empty before he shielded another protester from being pepper sprayed. Pretti was then pepper sprayed and pinned to the ground by a group of agents who removed his firearm, which he had a license to carry, moments before several rounds of gunshots were heard. At no point was he seen brandishing his weapon or attacking law enforcement. Trump has stopped short of directly blaming Pretti or defending immigration officials in the wake of his killing and has taken steps to de-escalate tensions in recent days, including sending Homan to Minneapolis and saying he supports an investigation into the shooting.