Noem faces Senate grilling after 2 Minneapolis protesters' deaths

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in the hot seat on Tuesday as she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee — her first congressional appearance since the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.

In her opening statement, Noem credited President Donald Trump's leadership and Homeland Security personnel with what she described as historic results, including steep declines in border encounters, record-low apprehensions, and successful arrests and deportations.

"Thanks to President Trump's leadership and the hard work of the men and women of DHS, our department has delivered historic results and has made our community safer," Noem said. "Since the start of President Trump's second term, daily encounters along the southwest border declined by 96% compared to the Biden administration's daily average."

She also highlighted efforts to locate missing unaccompanied migrant children and curb drug trafficking, while warning that ICE officers are facing what she called an escalating threat, including sharp increases in death threats and assaults.

Additionally, Noem criticized Senate Democrats over the ongoing DHS funding impasse, saying the standoff is straining critical security missions and harming department employees. She thanked DHS staff for continuing their work during the dispute.

“The latest Democrat-led shutdown of DHS is reckless,” Noem said. “It’s unnecessary, and it undermines the American national security, and it harms the men and women who work at DHS and their families.”

On Jan. 7, ICE agents shot and killed Renee Good. On Jan. 24, Customs and Border Protection officers fatally shot Alex Pretti while conducting immigration operations in Minneapolis. The deaths sparked protests and renewed calls for oversight of DHS actions.

Noem and other administration officials initially described the shootings as defensive actions — a characterization sharply disputed by critics.

President Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to oversee operations, who has since announced that Operation Metro Surge is coming to an end.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the committee’s top Democrat, in his opening statement, said the Department of Homeland Security has been "devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law, without hesitation or remorse."

Durbin also repeatedly questioned Noem about the comments she made after the deaths of Good and Pretti that cast them as "violent protesters" and called on her to apologize.

Noem said she was relying on information from people on the scene and blamed “violent protesters” for contributing to the chaos officers encountered.

“I was getting reports from the ground from agents at the scene, and I would say that it was a chaotic scene, as you’ve seen in Minneapolis and St. Paul," she said. Her officers “worked at targeting the worst of the worst” and many times faced violence from protesters, she added.

Supporters of the administration’s immigration crackdown were also present in the hearing room. Angel Moms — parents whose children were killed by people in the country illegally — attended in solidarity with Noem.

Last month, Trump signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 22 “Angel Family Day,” marking the anniversary of the killing of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was murdered while out for a run in 2024. A Venezuelan national, Jose Ibarra, was later convicted of her death.

DHS has blamed clashes in cities such as Minneapolis and Chicago on Democratic leaders, accusing them of encouraging resistance to federal officers during arrest operations.

______*Editor's note: *The Associated Press contributed to this article.