Heinrich Reiterates Demand for Secretary Noem to Resign Following DHS’ Lawlessness

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) joined U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and three Democratic senators in a letter demanding that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem immediately resign as head of the DHS, citing her deplorable leadership and DHS' lawlessness. In a letter to Secretary Noem, the senators specifically emphasize how the horrifying conduct of immigration agents in Minnesota led to a complete loss of confidence in Secretary Noem's ability to serve as DHS Secretary.

Heinrich initially called for Noem's resignation post in a statement posted on his social media platforms on January 28, 2026, directly after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ICU nurse.: "Kristi Noem lied about what we all saw with our own eyes. She needs to go. Immediately."

"Immigration enforcement plays a central role in securing our border and ensuring non-citizens convicted of violent offenses are removed from our country. At your direction, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have become entirely unmoored from this mission," the senators wrote to Secretary Noem. "The Department's violent immigration enforcement in Minnesota underscores just how far the agency has strayed. This month, immigration agents fatally shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The shootings of these two U.S. citizens were made possible by the culture - devoid of leadership or training - that you have created at DHS."

The senators continued, "Under your management, immigration agents' behavior has been consistently brutal and overzealous. Since September 2025, ICE agents have shot 12 people, resulting in four deaths. You have presided over the highest number of in-custody deaths in two decades. In 2025, 32 people died in ICE custody. During that time, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported 17 deaths. This month alone, six people have died in detention centers."

The senators stressed the abhorrent conduct at the DHS is rooted in Secretary Noem's insufficient training and policy changes, which have created a culture of impunity, "You directed a recruitment effort that has led to thousands of hastily trained immigration officers being placed into our communities. Since January 2025, DHS has hired over 12,000 new ICE officers. To accommodate this hiring spree, officer training has been reduced from 16 weeks to approximately 6.5 weeks. These trainings are essential to ensure safe, lawful interactions for agents and community members alike."

"You also approved new guidance at DHS that violates federal law and the Constitution. In May 2025, but only publicly reported recently, ICE issued a memo directing agents to enter residences - without a judicial warrant - to arrest unauthorized immigrants. The Fourth Amendment prohibits searches and seizures without judicial warrants," the senators continued. "DHS has also ignored federal court orders. In Minnesota, the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court recently accused ICE of having 'dozens of court orders with which [they] have failed to comply' during Operation Metro Surge."

The senators slammed Secretary Noem's statements condemning the victims of officers' misconduct undermining accountability, "After agents shot Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti, you immediately downplayed these killings and sought to blame the victims for their deaths. You falsely described Ms. Good, a wife and mother of three, a domestic terrorist. You claimed that Mr. Pretti brandished a firearm before his death, which is directly contradicted by video evidence. Your statements - made prior to the completion of an investigation and contrary to evidence - have resulted in a massive loss of confidence in your ability to lead DHS."

"Taken together, your tenure represents a profound failure to uphold the responsibilities of your position. You have displayed a complete disregard for public safety, due process, civil liberties, and constitutional safeguards. A mission important protecting our homeland cannot be placed under your leadership. We call on you to resign immediately," the senators demanded.

The letter is led by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.). In addition to Heinrich, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Read the full letter here and below.

Dear Secretary Noem,

Under your leadership, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has become a paramilitary force that operates with impunity and a disregard for public safety and the rule of law. The horrifying conduct of immigration agents in Minnesota has led to a complete loss of confidence in your ability to serve in your position. We urge you to resign from your position immediately.

Immigration enforcement plays a central role in securing our border and ensuring non-citizens convicted of violent offenses are removed from our country. At your direction, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have become entirely unmoored from this mission.

The Department's violent immigration enforcement in Minnesota underscores just how far the agency has strayed. This month, immigration agents fatally shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The shootings of these two U.S. citizens were made possible by the culture that you have created at DHS.

Under your management, immigration agents' behavior has been consistently brutal and overzealous. Since September 2025, ICE agents have shot 12 people, resulting in four deaths. You have presided over the highest number of in-custody deaths in two decades. In 2025, 32 people died in ICE custody. During that time, CBP reported 17 deaths. This month alone, six people have died in detention centers.

The abhorrent conduct at your Department is rooted in insufficient training and policy changes that have created a culture of impunity. You directed a recruitment effort that has led to thousands of hastily trained immigration officers being placed into our communities. Since January 2025, DHS has hired over 12,000 new ICE officers. To accommodate this hiring spree, officer training has been reduced from 16 weeks to approximately 6.5 weeks. These trainings are essential to ensure safe, lawful interactions for agents and community members alike.

You also approved new guidance at DHS that violates federal law and the Constitution. In May 2025, but only publicly reported recently, ICE issued a memo directing agents to enter residences -without a judicial warrant-to arrest unauthorized immigrants. The Fourth Amendment prohibits searches and seizures without judicial warrants. DHS has also ignored federal court orders. In Minnesota, the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court recently accused ICE of having "dozens of court orders with which [they] have failed to comply" during Operation Metro Surge.

Furthermore, your statements condemning the victims of officers' misconduct have undermined accountability. After agents shot Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti, you immediately downplayed these killings and sought to blame the victims for their deaths. You falsely described Ms. Good, a wife and mother of three, as a domestic terrorist. You claimed that Mr. Pretti brandished a firearm before his death, which is directly contradicted by video evidence. Your statements-made prior to the completion of an investigation and contrary to evidence-have resulted in a massive loss of confidence in your ability to lead DHS.

Taken together, your tenure represents a profound failure to uphold the responsibilities of your position. You have displayed a complete disregard for public safety, due process, civil liberties, and constitutional safeguards.

A mission as important as protecting our homeland cannot be placed under your leadership. We call on you to resign immediately.

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