Kristi Noem ousted as head of Homeland Security
- Harry Colbert, Jr.
- 1 hour ago
- 1 min read
On the heels of the destructive “Operation Metro Surge” that left two people dead and rounded up several people who were either U.S. citizens or undocumented, but were not accused of any violent crimes, Kristi Noem is out as head of the Department of Homeland Security.
The firing, first reported by ABC News, follows two days of testimony by Noem before Senate and House committees. Noem was widely criticized by both Democrats and Republicans in both chambers. Much of that criticism came from Noem’s unwillingness to apologize for calling Alex Pretti a "domestic terrorist.” Pretti was killed on Jan. 24 in Minneapolis by Homeland officers as he was serving as an observer of ICE actions in the metro.
Operation Metro Surge brought more than 4,000 federal agents to the Twin Cities, and in addition to the killings of Pretti and Renee Good, another man was shot in North Minneapolis. In that shooting the Department of Justice determined officers falsified statements regarding the incident.
Countless residents in Minnesota were affected by the operation that led to many tense moments and standoffs between protesters and law enforcement. Also, in St. Paul, a 94-year-old man was taken from his home in light clothing by ICE during frigid temperatures.
President Trump said he would nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to take Noem’s place.