A Republican senator just did what Democrats have been demanding for days: called for the firing of a Cabinet secretary from his own party’s administration.
Story Snapshot
- Sen. Thom Tillis becomes first GOP lawmaker to demand Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s removal, calling her “out of her depth” and “incompetent”
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski echoes the criticism, stating she has lost confidence in Noem following the fatal shooting of anti-ICE protester Alex Pretti
- Noem faces backlash for labeling Pretti, an ICU nurse killed by federal agents in Minneapolis, a “domestic terrorist”
- President Trump maintains full confidence in Noem despite growing GOP fractures, crediting her with reduced border crossings
- Both senators voted to confirm Noem but now demand new DHS leadership amid concerns over judgment and agent safety
When Your Own Team Turns on You
Sen. Thom Tillis stood before reporters Tuesday and delivered a political gut punch that reverberated through Republican ranks. The North Carolina senator declared Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem should resign or be fired by President Trump, marking the first time a GOP senator has publicly demanded her ouster. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska quickly followed suit, stating Americans would be “better served with new leadership.” The extraordinary development stems from the weekend shooting death of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse protesting ICE operations in Minneapolis, and Noem’s inflammatory response that ignited bipartisan fury.
The Fatal Encounter That Changed Everything
Alex Pretti participated in an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis when two Customs and Border Patrol agents shot and killed him during an immigration enforcement operation. The death of a U.S. citizen healthcare worker at the hands of federal agents created an immediate public relations disaster for the Department of Homeland Security. Noem’s decision to label Pretti a “domestic terrorist” in the immediate aftermath amplified the controversy exponentially. Tillis seized on this characterization as evidence of catastrophically poor judgment, arguing it exposed both federal officers and American citizens to unnecessary danger while destroying Republican credibility on immigration enforcement.
Retiring Senator Pulls No Punches
Tillis unleashed unusually blunt criticism for a sitting senator discussing a Cabinet secretary from his own party’s administration. He told reporters Noem has been “out of her depth from the outset” and accused her of destroying what should have been a Republican strength through sheer incompetence. The retiring North Carolina lawmaker stated he has lost “all confidence” in Noem’s ability to lead the sprawling homeland security apparatus. His freedom to speak candidly stems partly from his lame-duck status, having announced he will not seek reelection and therefore faces no political consequences for breaking with Trump administration orthodoxy on immigration policy.
The Murkowski Factor Adds Pressure
Murkowski’s concurrent loss of confidence carries particular weight given her track record as a moderate willing to challenge party leadership. Both senators voted to confirm Noem when Trump nominated her for the DHS position, making their reversal particularly striking. Murkowski expressed disappointment in Noem’s performance, echoing Tillis’s concerns about leadership deficiencies. The Alaska senator’s criticism matters because she represents a swing vote on contentious issues and frequently serves as a bellwether for other moderate Republicans considering whether to buck party leadership. Her willingness to join Tillis suggests deeper dissatisfaction within GOP Senate ranks than previously visible.
Trump Stands Firm Despite Senate Rebellion
President Trump publicly defended Noem, telling reporters she is “doing a very good job” and crediting her department with significantly reducing border crossings. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced this support, stating Noem retains Trump’s “utmost confidence and trust.” This creates a classic Washington standoff between Senate critics and White House defenders, with Noem caught in the crossfire. Trump’s loyalty to embattled Cabinet members has historical precedent, though sustained Senate pressure from his own party occasionally proves irresistible. The president’s calculation weighs Noem’s enforcement achievements against the political damage from the Pretti shooting and subsequent GOP defections on Capitol Hill.
What This Means for Immigration Enforcement
The controversy exposes fundamental tensions within Republican immigration policy between aggressive enforcement and avoiding incidents that undermine public support. Tillis specifically criticized how Noem’s handling of interior enforcement operations has squandered what should be a Republican advantage on border security. Reports suggest DHS may shift focus back toward border operations and away from controversial interior enforcement actions following the Minneapolis shooting. Federal agents face heightened scrutiny over training and de-escalation protocols when confronting protesters. Democrats smell blood in the water, pushing impeachment efforts that previously lacked GOP support but could gain traction if more Republican senators join Tillis and Murkowski in demanding accountability.
'She Should Be Out of a Job': GOP Senator Calls for 'Amateurish' Kristi Noem's Ouster https://t.co/97M7I8roho
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) January 28, 2026
The Political Calculation Behind the Criticism
Tillis’s willingness to torch Noem publicly reflects his assessment that her continued tenure damages Republican electoral prospects more than challenging Trump administration personnel decisions. His blunt language about Noem being “amateurish” and “incompetent” signals he believes the party cannot afford another controversy involving federal agents killing American citizens. Murkowski’s moderate positioning gives her political cover to join the criticism without appearing to lead a rebellion. The senators’ previous confirmation votes for Noem provide them credibility to argue they gave her a fair chance and she failed. Democrats lack sufficient votes to impeach without Republican crossovers, making Tillis and Murkowski’s defections potentially significant leverage points if more GOP senators follow their lead in coming days.
Sources:
Thom Tillis on Kristi Noem: ‘She should be fired’ – Politico
