Noem declines to retract ‘terrorism’ comments about Alex Pretti during Senate hearing

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem faced intense questioning about immigration enforcement operations during her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. She stood firm and refused to apologize for or retract her statements regarding a U.S. citizen who was shot and killed by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the committee, pressed Noem on why she labeled Alex Pretti, the citizen who was killed, as a domestic terrorist without evidence. Despite the pressure, Noem did not admit any wrongdoing.

When asked if it was difficult to acknowledge her mistake, Noem replied that she always aims to provide factual information and is willing to admit when the agency makes mistakes. However, she did not retract her statements about Pretti.

Noem explained that her characterization of Pretti as a domestic terrorist was based on information she received shortly after the incident. She faced criticism for insinuating that Pretti, an ICU nurse, intended to harm law enforcement officers before any evidence or investigation was completed.

During the hearing, Senator Thom Tillis criticized Noem’s leadership of the Department of Homeland Security, calling it a disaster and a failure. He highlighted issues with immigration enforcement efforts and the detention of innocent U.S. citizens under her watch.

Noem also clarified that there are no plans to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at polling places in November, in response to President Trump’s suggestion to “nationalize” elections. She emphasized that states are responsible for running elections and that DHS is providing tools to maintain election integrity.

Noem’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee is part of a two-day testimony on Capitol Hill. She is set to testify before the House Judiciary Committee the following day.

The ongoing funding fight over Immigration and Customs Enforcement has led to some parts of Noem’s agency, such as FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard, being shut down. Democrats are pushing for changes to the agency in light of the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.