Must Kristi Noem resign and Bovino be fired?

 

Must Kristi Noem resign and Bovino be fired?

As of January 25, 2026, whether Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem must resign and Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino must be fired is a subject of intense political debate following a fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis.

The calls for their removal are led by prominent Democratic officials, while the Trump administration has defended their actions.

 

Arguments for Resignation and Firing

• Democratic leaders and critics argue for their removal based on allegations of lawlessness, excessive force, and a lack of accountability:
• Gavin Newsom’s Demands: California Governor Gavin Newsom has been a vocal proponent, posting on X that "Kristi Noem must RESIGN" and "Greg Bovino must be FIRED". He cited "lawless" mass deportation raids and the "militarization" of ICE as primary reasons.
• Minneapolis Shooting (Jan 2026): The recent fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal agents has intensified these calls. Critics argue that Noem and Bovino have provided misleading information about the incident, such as claims that Pretti was armed that were later questioned by witness testimony and video.
• Congressional Pressure: Several Democratic members of Congress, including Rep. Brad Schneider and Rep. Delia Ramirez, have called for Noem's resignation or impeachment, citing a "profound failure of leadership" and a culture of aggressive, unaccountable enforcement.
• Past Mismanagement: Previous calls for Noem's resignation in late 2025 were linked to a GAO report finding FEMA violated federal law six times under her leadership, as well as her handling of disaster relief in Texas.

 

Arguments Against Resignation and Firing

• The Trump administration and supporters maintain that Noem and Bovino are necessary for national security and immigration enforcement:
• Administration Support: President Trump has defended his administration’s tactics, blaming local officials for the violence and characterizing the Minneapolis incident as a "domestic terrorist" attempt to "assassinate federal law enforcement".
• Enforcement Efficacy: Bovino has been described as a "hardline" official who spearheads aggressive operations to meet deportation targets. Noem has defended the agency's tactics by stating they are targeting "murderers" and dangerous criminals.
• Refusal to Step Down: Noem has explicitly stated in the past that she will not resign, defending the immediate federal response to various crises.
• While there is significant political and public pressure from the opposition for their removal, there is currently no legal requirement for them to step down, and they remain in their positions with the backing of the President