Gavin Newsom demands Kristi Noem's resignation, suspension of ICE raids over Minneapolis shooting

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday, January 25 called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

His demands followed the fatal shooting of 37-year-old US citizen Alex Pretti by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis.

Pretti's killing comes less than three weeks after American citizen Renee Good was shot dead by an ICE agent in the same city.

Gavin Newsom slams Kristi Noem, Greg Bovino

Newsom took to X with a blistering critique of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the fatal shooting of Pretti, an ICU nurse.

In his post, he demanded that federal immigration authorities receive "no new funding". 

He also criticized Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, saying he must be fired and border patrol troops must be sent back to the border.

He also called for an "end to the militarization of ICE" and what he described as “sick racial profiling.” He further demanded the elimination of cash incentives that he characterized as bounties supporting Trump’s agenda.

Newsom also urged an immediate suspension of what he called "the lawless mass deportation raids nationwide". 

The Democrat said that ICE is no longer only targeting dangerous criminals, a reference to the deaths of multiple US citizens caused by aggressive federal operations.

Newsom further advocated for thorough "background checks" for all agents and at least "two years of training" before they are deployed in the field, and demanded that authorities "investigate and prosecute" every federal agent he believes to be breaking the law.

Newsom says Trump ordered Alex Pretti shooting

Protests have erupted across Minnesota following Pretti’s death, prompting heated statements and call for action from political leaders.

In a previous post, Newsom noted, “Yesterday, hundreds of thousands filled the streets of Minnesota—marching in subzero temperatures in a PEACEFUL protest.” He condemned the federal response, saying, “Not the excuse to invoke the Insurrection Act the President wanted. So today, Trump made a shooting happen.”

Noem, Minnesota democrats lock horns

Noem has said that Pretti approached federal agents with a handgun, prompting officers to fire “defensive shots” that killed him.

She highlighted Pretti’s criminal history, including domestic assault with intent to inflict bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and driving without a valid license.

Noem also criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, accusing them of siding with “people who break the law.”

Walz rejected the federal account, calling it “nonsense” and “lies,” and demanded that the President end what he said was a violent occupation of Minnesota.

On protests following the shooting, Noem claimed that demonstrators “obstruct and assault” law enforcement officers in “rampant assaults,” noting one officer’s finger was “bitten off.” She questioned whether her department should collaborate with local authorities, stating, “Who would partner with Walz at this point?”

The Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said that a federal investigation into the fatal shooting is ongoing. He added that the deadly encounter could have been avoided and sharply criticized Minnesota state and city officials, saying their resistance to federal law enforcement had helped create “this escalation.”

In his statement, Blanche emphasized that “Federal officers are tasked with the difficult jobs of removing criminal illegal aliens from American communities.” He went on to say that "state and local politicians and police should be helping, not hindering, this effort.”