House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply condemned the Department of Homeland Security’s actions following a series of fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, accusing the Trump administration of using “taxpayer dollars” to harm American citizens and calling for dramatic changes at the agency. Jeffries said the situation “is immoral” and directly urged former President Donald Trump to fire DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, warning that Democrats will pursue impeachment proceedings if she is not removed.
In a joint statement with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Jeffries said the country is “disgusted by what the Department of Homeland Security has done.” He alleged that Republicans are prepared to shut large parts of the government down this week so that what he described as a “DHS killing spree unleashed in Minnesota can continue throughout America.” “That is immoral,” the statement said. Jeffries and his colleagues called for the prosecution of federal agents who have broken the law, an end to what they described as “paramilitary tactics,” and a shift in how federal resources are used, arguing that taxpayer dollars should make life more affordable for Americans, not “kill them in cold blood.”
Donald Trump must fire Kristi Noem immediately.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) January 27, 2026
Or Democrats will initiate impeachment proceedings against her in the House.
We can do this the easy way or the hard way. pic.twitter.com/8ul9jytx1h
Jeffries was explicit in demanding Noem’s removal, saying, “Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Democrats have increasingly scrutinized Noem’s leadership as criticism of DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s actions has intensified.
The statement comes amid national outrage over the fatal shooting of 37‑year‑old Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident and intensive care nurse who was killed by federal agents on January 24. Pretti’s death was the second such shooting in the city this month, following the killing of Renee Good earlier in January, and has galvanized protests and political backlash. Federal officials have defended the agents’ actions, saying Pretti was armed and resisted efforts to disarm him, but bystander videos and local accounts have raised questions about the circumstances of the encounter and intensified demands for accountability.
Jeffries’ comments reflect growing Democratic frustration with how federal immigration enforcement operations have been conducted and overseen. In recent weeks, lawmakers have called for increased investigations, reforms of ICE practices, and in some cases refusal to support funding that includes DHS and ICE allocations as part of broader government appropriations negotiations. A number of Democratic leaders have threatened to block funding unless changes are made to how the agency operates, underscoring how the Minneapolis shootings have become a flashpoint in the larger debate over immigration policy and federal law enforcement accountability.
The political tensions around DHS leadership and enforcement actions have intensified as broader protests and calls for reform continue across multiple cities, with public officials and civil rights groups demanding transparent investigations and clearer standards governing the use of force by federal agents. Jeffries’ forceful call for Noem’s dismissal and the looming threat of impeachment proceedings underscore the deep partisan divide over homeland security policy and the federal government’s role in responding to civil unrest and public safety concerns.
