Sen Thom Tillis says Kristi Noem ‘should be out of a job’ for hurting Trump’s immigration policy

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Tuesday called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, saying her handling of federal immigration enforcement, particularly in Minnesota, has been “amateurish” and has damaged the Trump administration’s messaging and policy goals. 

Tillis’ remarks mark one of the most outspoken Republican critiques of a Cabinet member from within the party’s Senate ranks.

Noem has faced increased scrutiny in recent days over her claim that Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old man shot dead by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on Saturday, committed “domestic t*rrorism.”

Thom Tillis calls Noem’s Minnesota handling disqualifying

Republican Senator Thom Tillis called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s ouster on Tuesday, telling reporters that her “incompetence” in Minnesota meant “she should be out of a job.” Tillis was scathing in his assessment of the secretary’s performance, claiming her “amateurish” actions were hurting President Donald Trump’s image.

He described Noem’s public statements and leadership decisions as “just amateurish” and argued that they distracted from key Republican priorities, including border security and immigration enforcement.

“I think that what she’s done in Minnesota should be disqualifying. She should be out of a job,” he said. “I mean, really, it’s just amateurish. It’s making the president look bad on policies that he won on.”

Thom Tillis slams Gregory Bovino and DHS leadership

He also took aim at other Department of Homeland Security leadership decisions, including the replacement of Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, as part of efforts to manage the fallout from the Minneapolis shooting incidents.

“[Trump] won on a strong message on immigration. And now nobody’s talking about that. They’re not talking about securing the border. They’re talking about the incompetence of the leader of homeland security and the other people, Bovino, whatever his name is. He needs to go back to California, get his retirement papers, and go. These people are amateurs,” he said. Tillis was not the only Republican taking aim at Noem.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska told reporters that she thinks Noem should probably step down, saying it is “probably time for her to step down.”

Murkowski pointed to the recent controversies and said they have made her doubt whether Noem can effectively run DHS. Although Murkowski voted to confirm Noem last year, she made clear she would not back her again and suggested it may be time for new leadership.

The senators echoed the sentiment of House Democratic leadership, which on the same day released a statement demanding that Noem “be fired immediately” or face possible impeachment in the House.

The president backed Noem during an interview with Fox News’ Will Cain, but she has reportedly already been sidelined in Minneapolis. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, is now heading to the city to take charge instead. The president said he selected Homan to “shake up” the immigration team.