Democrat Support for Impeaching Kristi Noem Surges to 140 House Members After Alex Pretti Shooting in Minneapolis

Support amongst House Democrats for impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accelerated rapidly on Monday, with more than a dozen new members joining the effort after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The articles had 140 co-sponsors by Monday afternoon, nearly two-thirds of the 213 voting members of the House Democratic caucus.

The explosive growth came after Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, was shot and killed on Saturday morning whilst being tackled to the ground by Customs and Border Protection officers. Pretti was attempting to film federal agents conducting an immigration operation when he was surrounded, sprayed with a chemical irritant, pinned down, and shot multiple times.

From Dozens to a Supermajority

Rep Robin Kelly, the Illinois Democrat who introduced the impeachment articles earlier this month following the fatal shooting of Renée Good in Minneapolis, initially garnered dozens of co-sponsors. Support increased gradually, then surged over the weekend after Pretti's death.

Reps Jared Moskowitz of Florida and Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, voiced support for impeachment on a Democratic caucus call on Sunday morning. The new signers include high-profile figures such as Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as swing-district moderates and leadership members, according to Kelly's office.

Rep Greg Landsman of Ohio, who represents one of the most vulnerable battleground districts, signed on Monday, as did swing-district Reps Steven Horsford of Nevada and Jahana Hayes of Connecticut. Leadership members Joe Neguse of Colorado, Suzan Delbene of Washington, Robert Garcia of California, and Bobby Scott of Virginia also joined.

Three Articles of Impeachment

The first article alleges that Noem denied Kelly and other members oversight of ICE detention facilities. Kelly tried to enter the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois, but was denied despite following Noem's seven-day notice requirement. Documentation shows six other instances where members were denied entry to ICE facilities in Texas, Colorado, California, New York, Virginia, and Washington.

The second article accuses Noem of directing DHS agents to arrest people without warrants and use violence against US citizens. Kelly said Noem violated the Immigration and Nationality Act and the First and Fourth Amendments.

The third article alleges self-dealing, claiming Noem used $200 million in taxpayer funds for an ICE recruitment ad campaign and bypassed normal competitive bidding to award a contract to Strategy Group. The firm was formed days before the award and is run by the husband of senior DHS official Tricia McLaughlin, a close friend of Noem's.

Kelly Could Force Vote Next Week

Kelly can, in theory, force a vote on her articles as early as next week, and she will have a supermajority of her party behind her if she does. Democrats have discussed travelling to Minneapolis and shutting down the government in response to the shooting, whilst Republicans are trying to schedule congressional hearings.

'Secretary Noem has called my impeachment effort silly. I want to tell her right now: Secretary Noem, you have violated your oath of office and there will be consequences,' Kelly said at a press conference when introducing the articles. 'I am watching you. Members of Congress are watching you. The American people are watching you. And most of all, we are not liking what we are seeing.'

DHS Dismisses Effort as 'Silly'

The Department of Homeland Security called the articles 'silly' and said Kelly should focus on crime in her district. In a statement, DHS said: 'How silly during a serious time. As ICE officers are facing a 1,300 per cent increase in assaults against them, Rep Kelly is more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually cleaning up her crime-ridden Chicago district.'

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin criticised politicians who 'would rather defend criminals and attack the men and women who are enforcing our laws', adding: 'It's time they focus on protecting the American people, the work this Department is doing every day under Secretary Noem's leadership.'

No Republican Support Yet

So far, no Republicans have signed on or said they would support impeachment. The effort is not expected to succeed with Republicans controlling both chambers. Even if it passed the House, it would likely fail in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required, similar to the 2024 impeachment of then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

However, members are reeling from the shooting, with Democrats demanding accountability as even some Republicans call for an independent investigation. The surge in support signals growing frustration over federal enforcement operations that have killed two US citizens in Minneapolis within three weeks.