Noem faces Senate grilling after 2 Minneapolis protesters' deaths

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is in the hot seat Tuesday as she testifies 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.

Lawmakers are expected to question her about the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement tactics and her leadership amid intense scrutiny following the controversial shootings.

Democrats are likely to focus on concerns that officers under her authority have abused their power, used excessive force, and violated constitutional rights while carrying out aggressive enforcement actions.

“Secretary Noem is the public face for an abominable anti-immigrant crusade,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the committee, ahead of the hearing.

On Jan. 7, ICE agents shot and killed Renee Good, and on Jan. 24, Customs and Border Protection officers fatally shot Alex Pretti as federal forces conducted immigration operations in Minneapolis. Both deaths sparked protests and intensified calls for oversight of DHS actions.

President Donald Trump sent border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to take over operations, who has since announced that Operation Metro Surge was coming to an end.

Noem and other administration officials initially described the incidents as defensive actions, a characterization that has been sharply contested by critics.

The shootings have also become entwined with a broader budget standoff in Congress over DHS funding and immigration policy, adding further pressure on Noem during her testimony.

DHS has often blamed conflicts on the ground in places like Minneapolis and Chicago, where it's carrying out immigration enforcement activities, as the fault of Democratic politicians, who they say encourage people to oppose officers as they try to make arrests.

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

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