Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina responded to President Donald Trump calling him a “loser” on Wednesday by taking a swipe at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller.
Why It Matters
Tillis’ remark adds to growing intra-Republican pushback on the Trump administration over immigration enforcement as senators face a funding deadline and debate new potential limits on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics after two deadly shootings in Minneapolis.
Democrats have also moved to block a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill.
What To Know
Noem has faced rampant calls for her resignation after 37-year-old Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration agents on Saturday, marking the second death this month involving immigration enforcement. Renee Nicole Good, also 37, was killed by an ICE officer on January 7.
Tillis and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have joined Democratic lawmakers in calling for her ouster.
Reacting to that in an interview with ABC News, Trump called both senators “losers.”
“They’re terrible senators. One is gone and the other should be gone,” Trump told the outlet. “What Murkowski says—she’s always against the Republicans anyway. And Tillis decided to drop out. So you know, he lost his voice once he did that.”
On Wednesday, reacting to the president’s remark, Tillis said, “I am thrilled about that. That makes me qualified to be Homeland Security secretary AND senior adviser to the president.”
Tillis also said Noem and Miller are exhibiting “incompetence” amid the Minneapolis strife involving federal immigration agents.
In an email to Newsweek on Wednesday, the White House shared a statement from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying, “Stephen Miller is one of President Trump’s most trusted and longest serving aides. The President loves Stephen.”
The White House also shared previous comments the president has made about Noem recently that say Trump has confidence in her.
“I think she’s doing a very good job … the border is totally secure. You know, you forget, we had a border that I inherited where millions of people were coming through. Now, we have a border where no one is coming through,” Trump said in part this week. He also said Noem was not going to step down, when asked by reporters.
What People Are Saying
Rapid Response 47, on X Monday: “.@PressSec: “@Sec_Noem still has the utmost confidence and trust of @POTUS, and she’s continuing to oversee the entire @DHSgov… Border Czar [Tom] Homan is in a unique position to drop everything and go to Minnesota to continue having these productive conversations with state and local officials.”
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, on X Tuesday: “I have spoken with the White House and with DHS Secretary Noem about the ICE operations. I asked Secretary Noem to pause the operations in both Maine and Minnesota. I believe they should be reviewed and far more targeted in their scope. I have also called for an independent investigation into the tragic shooting of Alex Pretti. At this time of heightened tensions, these steps are necessary to help improve trust, accountability, and safety.”
Murkowski, on X Sunday: “The tragedy and chaos the country is witnessing in Minneapolis is shocking. The killing yesterday of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents should raise serious questions within the administration about the adequacy of immigration-enforcement training and the instructions officers are given on carrying out their mission. Lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American—especially, as video footage appears to show, after the victim had been disarmed. A comprehensive, independent investigation of the shooting must be conducted in order to rebuild trust and Congressional committees need to hold hearings and do their oversight work. ICE agents do not have carte blanche in carrying out their duties.”
Miller, on X Saturday reacting to video of Pretti’s killing: “A would-be assassin tried to murder federal law enforcement and the official Democrat account sides with the terrorists.”
What Happens Next
Lawmakers face a Friday deadline to fund DHS as Democrats seek to attach constraints on ICE operations.
Read the full article here
