In the aftermath of the shooting deaths in Minneapolis of two people who protested deportation policy, mounting calls for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to either be impeached — or fired — are growing from both Democrats and some Republicans.
However, Noem’s job appears to be safe (for now), thanks to a move from First Lady Melania Trump.
According to sources who spoke with political analyst Mark Halperin, Noem has the full support of First Lady Melania Trump, making it very unlikely she would be fired by President Donald Trump.
Noem has faced intense bipartisan scrutiny for her handling of the fallout in Minnesota and for accusing Alex Pretti, who was shot by a Border Patrol agent over the weekend, of domestic terrorism before the investigation concluded.
Halperin spoke on “2Way Tonight” and indicated that Melania was a close friend of Noem and continues to support her, which likely gives Noem a boost in her hopes of keeping her job following her response to the weekend Border Patrol shooting in Minneapolis.
“If you want to know why I’m relatively certain that the president is not going to fire Secretary Noem or that she’s going to be forced out, despite a lot of speculation about that, she has the support, I’m told, of a friend of hers who’s very influential with the president,” Halperin said.
“Her name is Melania Trump. Melania Trump, I’m told, fully supports her friend, Kristi Noem, and the president does too.”
Take a listen —
The backlash surrounding Noem’s leadership began after comments she made during a press conference on Saturday, saying Pretti “violently resisted” officers as they attempted to disarm him, adding that the agent fired defensive shots while he feared for his life.
However, according to police reports, it was confirmed that Pretti legally carried the handgun with a permit and that the firearm was removed before the agent shot him.
On Monday, Noem’s close ally, Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, was recalled from the Minnesota operation and replaced by border czar Tom Homan.
Some Republican lawmakers criticized Noem and the administration over their response to Pretti’s death, including North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who said rushing to judgment on the matter is a “disservice to the nation and to President Trump’s legacy.”
Democrats, including Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly, took things a step further by introducing a resolution to impeach Noem, which has earned 120 co-sponsors and the support of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Trump held a meeting with Noem in the Oval Office for about two hours on Monday and later told reporters on Tuesday that she will not be stepping down.
Ahead of Homan’s visit to Minnesota on Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the press that Trump still has the “utmost confidence” in Noem.
Trump told reporters yesterday he wants a “very honorable” and “honest investigation” into Pretti’s death.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey have called on ICE and Border Patrol to leave their state and have labeled the death of Pretti as murder.
Noem’s status in the Trump administration is an ongoing story. Check back for further updates.