By Blessing Nweke
Eight additional House Democrats have signed on to an impeachment resolution against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, raising the total number of co-sponsors to 120, according to a spokesperson for Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois, who introduced the measure. The surge in support follows the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and growing backlash over aggressive federal immigration enforcement operations.
Kelly’s resolution had 100 co-sponsors as of Jan. 20, but momentum increased in recent days amid public outrage over Operation Metro Surge, a federal initiative that deployed thousands of officers to Minnesota. Democrats have linked the operation to heightened tensions between federal agents and local communities. On Sunday, the Democratic Party amplified calls for accountability, posting “IMPEACH KRISTI NOEM” on X.
The impeachment push comes as the Department of Homeland Security faces intense scrutiny following two separate killings of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis involving federal officers. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said the House must “immediately take steps” to impeach Noem, calling Pretti’s killing “sick” and “purposeful chaos and violence.”
Several Democrats have gone further, demanding Noem’s resignation. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida accused DHS of misleading the public, while Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Peter Welch of Vermont renewed earlier calls for Noem to step down. Bennet urged the removal of federal agents from U.S. cities, and Welch described Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a “paramilitary force.”
Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada said Noem has lost control of DHS, citing what she called abuses of power by ICE. Democratic governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Gavin Newsom of California have also called for Noem’s resignation.
Noem has defended federal officers, claiming Pretti approached agents with a handgun and resisted arrest. However, eyewitness videos appear to contradict that account, and local officials confirmed Pretti had a legal permit. Earlier this month, another fatal shooting, that of Renee Nicole Good, also raised questions after video evidence challenged DHS statements.
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have threatened to block an appropriations bill that includes DHS funding, raising the possibility of a partial government shutdown if no agreement is reached by month’s end.
Original article
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