Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing internal scrutiny in the aftermath of a fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News, but Noem is expected to keep her job.
Sources said Noem was at the White House Monday and faced questions about her department’s handling of the shooting and its response. Her focus is expected to shift from interior enforcement operations to securing the southern border and other priorities.
Noem and top aide Corey Lewandowski had elevated Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and tasked him with overseeing highly publicized and controversial immigration raids in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans and most recently, Minneapolis.
Bovino, who was given a new title of “commander” and reported directly to Noem, sparked internal rifts at DHS between those who supported his aggressive tactics and those who believed they were undermining public support for the administration’s deportation campaign.
On Monday, amid growing backlash over the administration’s initial response to the fatal shooting in Minneapolis, Bovino left his post in Minnesota and returned to his regular job as the chief agent in California’s El Centro sector.
One official said serious threats against Bovino in Minnesota, including death threats, factored into the administration’s decision to pull him from the operation there.
Tom Homan, with whom sources say Noem has had a frosty working relationship, is now leading the Minneapolis operation. Multiple sources told CBS News Homan was in the West Wing to strategize Monday, before departing for the Twin Cities.
The White House is betting Homan can work with Democrats, like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. At Monday’s White House briefing, Karoline Leavitt noted the Obama administration recognized Homan’s work in 2016 when he served as a senior DHS official.
“And so he’s obviously very qualified. He has the full trust and faith of the president,” Leavitt said. Trump posted on Truth Social that Homan will meet with Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey, also a Democrat, on Tuesday.
On Monday, dozens more congressional Democrats agreed to join as co-sponsors of legislation seeking to impeach Noem, amid the torrent of negative headlines and controversy.
