Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense questions on Tuesday during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. The legislators asked her about the Minneapolis shootings that claimed the lives of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, her characterization of the incident as “domestic terrorism,” and concerns about immigration enforcement in general. Secretary Noem explained herself and offered condolences to the families of the victims but did not go back on her characterization of the incident or offer a formal apology.
Here are the questions posed to Secretary Noem and her answers (Key points):
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
Q: Why did you call Alex Pretti “domestic terrorism” without having any evidence, and will you retract your statement?
A: She did not retract the statement. She stated that she tries to give accurate information, and the information was based on what was relayed to her at the time, early on, as the event was developing.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
Q: Why can’t DHS admit when they are wrong, especially when innocent Americans are the victims of these actions?
Q: A: Tillis challenged Noem on her leadership and referred to the performance of DHS under her as a “disaster.” He also stated that the focus should be more on the accuracy of the arrest figures than the numbers.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.)
Q: Did you blame senior administration adviser Stephen Miller for the “domestic terrorism’ remarks, as a news account suggested?
A: Noem responded that this claim was false and that she had not made the statement. She also challenged the news report for relying on unnamed sources.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
Q: Do you have anything to say to Alex Pretti’s parents about how their son was portrayed publicly after his death?
A: Noem expressed her sympathy for the Pretti family.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)
Q: How can DHS maintain public trust if it releases inaccurate information about fatalities involving federal agents?
A: Noem emphasized the importance of giving the public accurate information and ensuring that the public remained informed about the investigations.
Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.)
Q: Will you apologize for suggesting the Minneapolis incidents were related to domestic terrorism?
A: Noem again offered condolences but declined to apologize, saying the department will continue working to provide accurate information as investigations proceed.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.)
Q: Will Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers be deployed to polling locations during upcoming elections?
A: Noem said there are no plans to deploy ICE officers or other law-enforcement personnel at polling places, emphasizing that states are responsible for running elections.
Q: You say there are “no plans” for ICE at polling places—will you rule it out?
A: Noem did not give a clean, categorical “no,” instead turning the question back toward concerns about illegal voting; she maintained there were “no plans.”
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Q: Would you station ICE agents at polling sites if asked by the president or senior advisers, even if legal concerns were raised?
A: Noem did not directly answer the hypothetical. She repeated that there are currently no plans to deploy ICE officers at polling locations and pivoted to concerns about illegal voting.
The hearing marked Noem’s first appearance before Congress since the Minneapolis shootings earlier this year. Lawmakers from both parties questioned the department’s handling of the incidents and the broader expansion of immigration enforcement operations. The hearing also took place amid a political standoff over DHS funding, which has partially shut down several agency functions while negotiations continue in Washington.
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