Senator John Fetterman publicly called on President Donald Trump to fire Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in response to how federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis have been handled, particularly after deadly shootings involving federal agents.
Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania who had previously supported Noem’s confirmation, said Noem’s leadership has failed to uphold the core mission of the department and has worsened public safety concerns amid protests and community backlash. He described her performance as grossly incompetent given the recent fatalities during federal operations and urged the president to remove her from office.
The appeal from Fetterman comes as criticism of DHS leadership has spread across the political spectrum, with other lawmakers and activists also demanding accountability. Calls for Noem’s resignation or removal have grown since multiple enforcement encounters in Minneapolis resulted in the deaths of civilians, prompting intense public scrutiny of federal tactics and the department’s oversight.
Fetterman’s statement signals an uncommon moment of bipartisan pressure on a senior federal official and reflects wider frustration among some members of Congress over how immigration enforcement has been conducted in urban areas under Noem’s authority. The push adds to ongoing debate over federal law enforcement strategy and leadership within the Department of Homeland Security.