...
By Jason Lemon
Deputy News Director
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Democratic lawmakers were quick to reiterate their demand to move forward with impeaching Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem on Saturday after a DHS law enforcement officer fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen.
"In real time as I was at this protest, ICE just murdered another person in Minnesota. Abolish ICE and prosecute everyone responsible for their crimes from the top down. Impeach Kristi Noem. We have to end this dystopian nightmare," Representative Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat, wrote on X.
Newsweek has reached out to DHS for comment via email.
Read More
Why It Matters
The new fatal shooting came amid a wave of anti-ICE and anti-Trump administration protests across the country, which grew after the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7. Minnesota has been at the center of a major DHS operation, with thousands of federal agents deployed in the state despite significant opposition from local leaders and residents.
DHS said in a Saturday statement that Pretti was armed, and that the officer feared for his life. Trump administration officials and their supporters have repeatedly defended the immigration crackdown as targeting individuals who have broken the law.
What to Know
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told the Minnesota Star Tribune that the man shot by federal agents died, which DHS also confirmed in an official statement.
A video uploaded to social media shows a group of federal agents struggling with Pretti, before one of the officers ultimately shoots him multiple times while he is being wrestled on the ground. After shots ring out in the video, the man can be seen motionless on the ground while people nearby are heard saying, "They killed that guy! Did they f***ing kill that guy?"
"The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted. More details on the armed struggle are forthcoming," the DHS said in a statement. "Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene. he suspect also had 2 magazines and no ID—this looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, said he spoke directly with the White House after the shooting, writing on X: "This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now." He said in a follow up post that he had told the White House that his state must be allowed to lead the investigation.
Demands to Impeach Kristi Noem
Several Democratic lawmakers were quick to renew their calls for the DHS secretary's impeachment, an effort that more than 100 House Democrats have officially signed onto already.
"Trump’s thugs just shot and killed a man in Minneapolis. Eyewitnesses are describing it as an execution. We cannot keep living like this and people can’t keep dying like this. Stop funding DHS. Impeach Kristi Noem. Hold these agents accountable," Senator Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, posted on X.
Representative Bennie Thompson, the ranking member for the House Committee on Homeland Security released a scathing statement, saying Trump and Noem have "blood on their hands," accusing them of being responsible for "purposeful chaos and violence." The Mississippi Democrat added, "The Senate must vote against funding CBP and ICE. The House must immediately take steps to impeach Kristi Noem."
Representative Mike Thompson, a California Democrat, described the fatal shooting as "sickening" on X. He added, "ICE has become a rogue agency. They claim they’re focused on deporting 'criminals,' yet they’re detaining kids and terrorizing communities. This is blatant cruelty. I voted against continuing to fund ICE and I’m fighting to impeach Kristin Noem."
"The Trump Administration and complicit Republicans have empowered DHS and ICE to beat, maim, and kill Americans on our streets, in broad daylight," Representative Rob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, wrote on X. "I’m praying for our country and for people to realize that this is not an agency that can be reformed or fixed. The violence must stop. Noem must be impeached."
"ICE needs to get out of Minnesota now. And Congress needs to impeach Noem and block funding for this disgrace," Representative Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, wrote on X.
Articles of Impeachment Against Kristi Noem
More than 100 Democrats have co-sponsored a resolution put forward by Representative Robin Kelly, an Illinois Democrat, to bring articles of impeachment against Noem. The articles introduced earlier this month aim to impeach the Trump administration official for 1) "Obstruction of Congress," 2) "Violation of Public Trust," and 3) "Self-Dealing."
Kelly introduced the impeachment articles against Noem for "high crimes and misdemeanors" on January 14.
They allege that Noem blocked congressional oversight of ICE and DHS facilities, as well as directing ICE to "make widespread warrantless arrests, forgo due process, and use violence against United States citizens, lawful residents, and other individuals." The third article alleges that she is "using her position to circumvent the Federal contracting process and funneling Federal funds to her friends' businesses."
Kelly said at a press conference that the Trump administration official "has brought her reign of terror to Chicago, LA, Minneapolis, and communities from north to south, east to west. She needs to be impeached for her actions."
"Secretary Noem has called my impeachment effort ‘silly.’ I want to tell her right now: You have violated your oath of office and there will be consequences. I am watching you. The American people are watching you. And most of all, we are not liking what we are seeing. If you believe impeachment is ‘silly,’ then you are not taking your job or our Constitution seriously," she said.
Despite backlash against Noem and ICE, the Democratic impeachment effort is seen as unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled House. It would face an even tougher path to success in the GOP-controlled Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for conviction.
Speaking to Newsweek in a Thursday interview, Representative Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat who has backed the effort, said she understood it's an uphill battle, but said she felt it was important regardless.
"Do I think it will happen? Probably not, but maybe, right? Because we also didn't think that we would end up getting a three-year tax subsidy for the Affordable Care Act passed out of the House. But because Democrats led on this issue, we were able to do it," Crockett said. "We also didn't think that we would ever get the entire House to vote on the Epstein files…but we were able to do it, right? And so I will say, never say never."
...
What People Are Saying
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a Thursday email: "DHS is a law enforcement agency—enforcing the rule of law passed by Congress. If members don't like the law, it is quite literally their job to change it. As ICE officers are facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults against them, politicians are more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually removing criminals from our streets. We hope these members get serious about doing their job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem."
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, on X on Saturday: "Donald Trump and all your lieutenants who ordered this ICE surge: watch the horrific video of the killing today. The world is watching. Thousands of citizens stopped and harassed. Local police no longer able to do their work. Kids hiding. Schools closed. Get ICE out of Minnesota NOW. And Republicans in Congress: Stop your silence and stop being complicit."
What Happens Next
It's unclear when and how the articles of impeachment may proceed in the House; however, they are viewed as unlikely to succeed given the current dynamics of the legislative body.
Meanwhile, protests against DHS, ICE and the Trump administration are expected to continue in Minnesota and across the country.
Update, 1/24/26 at 5:10 p.m. ET: Additional information was added.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines