Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin has escalated Democratic opposition to the Homeland Security Department's handling of immigration enforcement by calling for the resignation, firing, or impeachment of Secretary Kristi Noem. The demand comes after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot in Minneapolis during immigration operations.
Slotkin criticized Noem's leadership, stating that her actions have "done nothing to defend the values she claimed to hold." Slotkin also expressed disappointment over Noem's characterization of the shooting victims as domestic terrorists instead of immediately placing the involved DHS officers on administrative leave.
The senator is not alone in her call for change. Senate Democrats are pushing for reforms to Department of Homeland Security policy, including an enforceable code of conduct for federal agents conducting immigration arrests and requirements that they identify themselves to the public.
Slotkin stated that she does not regret attempting to engage with Noem but feels a misreading of the justice system was exposed by the Minneapolis incidents. "If you're a cabinet-level secretary and you jump to that, you don't understand our system," Slotkin said.
The senator is part of a group of Democrats who are unwilling to back the current government funding bill unless it includes changes to Department of Homeland Security policy. They argue that federal agents must abide by the same accountability standards as state and local police.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, along with the White House, has opposed Democratic efforts to separate Department of Homeland Security funding from the larger spending legislation. However, negotiations are ongoing, and it remains unclear whether the administration would accept oversight measures demanded by Slotkin and her colleagues.
The situation highlights the tensions over immigration enforcement tactics since President Trump's return to office. With the Saturday deadline approaching, Senate negotiators face pressure to find compromise language addressing Democratic concerns about DHS operations while maintaining government funding.
Slotkin criticized Noem's leadership, stating that her actions have "done nothing to defend the values she claimed to hold." Slotkin also expressed disappointment over Noem's characterization of the shooting victims as domestic terrorists instead of immediately placing the involved DHS officers on administrative leave.
The senator is not alone in her call for change. Senate Democrats are pushing for reforms to Department of Homeland Security policy, including an enforceable code of conduct for federal agents conducting immigration arrests and requirements that they identify themselves to the public.
Slotkin stated that she does not regret attempting to engage with Noem but feels a misreading of the justice system was exposed by the Minneapolis incidents. "If you're a cabinet-level secretary and you jump to that, you don't understand our system," Slotkin said.
The senator is part of a group of Democrats who are unwilling to back the current government funding bill unless it includes changes to Department of Homeland Security policy. They argue that federal agents must abide by the same accountability standards as state and local police.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, along with the White House, has opposed Democratic efforts to separate Department of Homeland Security funding from the larger spending legislation. However, negotiations are ongoing, and it remains unclear whether the administration would accept oversight measures demanded by Slotkin and her colleagues.
The situation highlights the tensions over immigration enforcement tactics since President Trump's return to office. With the Saturday deadline approaching, Senate negotiators face pressure to find compromise language addressing Democratic concerns about DHS operations while maintaining government funding.