Democrats Say Noem Can Go ‘the Easy Way or the Hard Way’

Sure — here’s a clean, neutral rewrite that keeps the facts intact and refers to President Trump as the current president throughout:

President Trump said Tuesday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s job is secure, even as criticism mounts from both parties and a growing number of Republican lawmakers call for her resignation.

Noem is facing bipartisan backlash over the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at a VA hospital who was shot by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. In the immediate aftermath, Noem described Pretti as a terrorist intent on harming officers, citing the presence of a firearm and “dozens” of rounds of ammunition. She also claimed he had brandished the weapon, a statement contradicted by video footage that shows an agent removing a gun from Pretti’s waistband moments before the shooting. Pretti held a legal concealed-carry permit.

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis sharply criticized Noem and Trump adviser Stephen Miller for labeling Pretti a terrorist before any official incident report had been completed, calling the response “amateur hour.” Tillis said Noem’s actions should be disqualifying and went beyond concerns about the administration’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. “We should own the issue of border security and immigration,” he said, according to CBS News. “But they have destroyed that for Republicans.”

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski also called for Noem to step down, saying she had lost confidence in her leadership and that the department would be better served by new leadership. Senate Homeland Security Committee Chair Rand Paul has summoned the heads of ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to testify on Feb. 12, with Noem scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3.

Pressure is also building among Democrats. More than 160 House Democrats have backed articles of impeachment against Noem, warning that impeachment proceedings would begin if she is not removed. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who often aligns with Republicans on border issues, publicly urged President Trump to dismiss her, saying Americans have died and accusing her of betraying DHS’s core mission.

Other Republicans have expressed concern without explicitly calling for her removal. Sen. John Curtis said officials who rush to judgment undermine public trust, while Rep. Mark Amodei said Noem “didn’t do herself any favors” by calling Pretti a terrorist. Senate Majority Leader John Thune declined to say whether he had confidence in Noem, emphasizing that the decision rests with the president.

President Trump met with Noem for two hours Monday night and has since removed her from the chain of command in Minneapolis, placing border czar Tom Homan in charge of operations there. Still, Trump said Tuesday that he remains confident in Noem, crediting her and Homan with closing the border and calling the results a “tremendous success,” according to the AP.

However, sources told Politico and The New York Times that concerns about Noem have been building within the administration for months, including over her handling of a surge in Homeland Security funding and high-profile immigration raids, such as one at a Hyundai factory in Georgia. One administration insider said the decision to place Homan in charge may speak louder than Trump’s public statements, noting that leadership changes during a crisis often signal deeper concerns, even if they are not openly acknowledged.

Original Source