President Trump staunchly defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem against bipartisan calls for her resignation following the January 24 killing of Alex Pretti by border agents in Minneapolis.
Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis, who previously voted to confirm Noem, publicly demanded her departure, citing "amateurish" conduct that they believe undermines the President's immigration agenda. Trump dismissed Murkowski, 68, and Tillis, 65, as "losers," asserting that his administration has achieved "one of the strongest borders anywhere in the world" and that Noem is doing a "very good job." Despite dispatching border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to manage the fallout, Trump rejected suggestions of sidelining Noem, characterizing it as a "shake up" rather than a pullback.
Noem and her adviser Corey Lewandowski met with Trump for nearly two hours, after which the President unequivocally stated "No" when asked if she would step down. This firm stance signals continuity in the administration's approach to border security and executive appointments, despite internal party dissent and external pressure.
Kristi Noem on Tuesday fielded questions about deportation quotas, her spending on TV ads and the Trump administration’s immigration operations in Minneapolis(current)
Originally reported as: “Kristi Noem on Tuesday fielded questions about deportation quotas, her spending on TV ads and the Trump administration’s immigration operations in Minneapolis”
