By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-sen-tillis-calls-for-noems-resignation-as-dhs-head-at-oversight-hearing Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Sen. Tillis calls for Noem's resignation as DHS head at oversight hearing Politics Mar 3, 2026 3:47 PM EDT Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in an oversight hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. Watch Tillis' full questioning of Noem in the video player above. Tillis blasted Noem for her leadership decisions in the immigration enforcement ramp-up in Minneapolis. He said the lack of accountability over the Department of Homeland Security's actions, including the agency's response to the killings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents, did not protect law enforcement. WATCH: Sen. Schiff asks Noem to justify her claims of 'domestic terrorism' after Minnesota shootings "We've got to make it clear when they make a mistake, then they get corrected for it," Tillis said of agents. "But you don't walk away from it and you've done it too many times." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Tillis, who called for Noem's resignation, cited her 2024 memoir in which she recounted killing her 14-month-old dog and likened it to a tough leadership decision. "You decided to kill that dog because you had not invested the appropriate time in training, and then you have the audacity to go into a book and say it's a leadership lesson about tough choices," Tillis said. Noem's agency has been roiled by turmoil and public outcry in recent months. The shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis prompted weeks of protests in the Twin Cities area. Trump officials, including Noem, accused the victims of committing acts of "domestic terrorism." But bystander videos challenged the administration's narrative of the high-profile deaths. Greater scrutiny by Democrats into the aggressive tactics deployed by DHS to carry out Trump's mass deportation agenda led to a lapse in the agency's funding and partial government shutdown. Congressional lawmakers have yet to reach a deal to fund the department, though there are areas of bipartisan agreement, such as requiring immigration enforcement agents to wear body cameras. Noem will also field questions Wednesday from the House Judiciary Committee. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in an oversight hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. Watch Tillis' full questioning of Noem in the video player above. Tillis blasted Noem for her leadership decisions in the immigration enforcement ramp-up in Minneapolis. He said the lack of accountability over the Department of Homeland Security's actions, including the agency's response to the killings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents, did not protect law enforcement. WATCH: Sen. Schiff asks Noem to justify her claims of 'domestic terrorism' after Minnesota shootings "We've got to make it clear when they make a mistake, then they get corrected for it," Tillis said of agents. "But you don't walk away from it and you've done it too many times." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Tillis, who called for Noem's resignation, cited her 2024 memoir in which she recounted killing her 14-month-old dog and likened it to a tough leadership decision. "You decided to kill that dog because you had not invested the appropriate time in training, and then you have the audacity to go into a book and say it's a leadership lesson about tough choices," Tillis said. Noem's agency has been roiled by turmoil and public outcry in recent months. The shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis prompted weeks of protests in the Twin Cities area. Trump officials, including Noem, accused the victims of committing acts of "domestic terrorism." But bystander videos challenged the administration's narrative of the high-profile deaths. Greater scrutiny by Democrats into the aggressive tactics deployed by DHS to carry out Trump's mass deportation agenda led to a lapse in the agency's funding and partial government shutdown. Congressional lawmakers have yet to reach a deal to fund the department, though there are areas of bipartisan agreement, such as requiring immigration enforcement agents to wear body cameras. Noem will also field questions Wednesday from the House Judiciary Committee. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now