A rapidly expanding coalition of House Democrats has formally launched an impeachment bid against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, marking a historic escalation in the standoff between Congress and the Trump administration. The move follows the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a lawfully armed U.S. citizen and VA nurse, by federal agents in Minneapolis—an incident that has united civil rights activists and Second Amendment defenders in rare outrage. As of Wednesday morning, support for the resolution has swelled to over 160 lawmakers, signaling a deepening crisis for the White House ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Impeachment Momentum Builds on Capitol Hill

The resolution, spearheaded by Representative Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), charges Secretary Noem with "high crimes and misdemeanors," specifically citing abuse of power and a "gross violation of the public trust." The impeachment drive, which began as a smaller effort following the January 7 killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Good, gained explosive momentum this week after the death of Alex Pretti on January 24.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a stark ultimatum to the President on Tuesday: "Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings." With the administration doubling down on its support for Noem, Democrats have made good on that threat. "This is not just about policy disagreements," Jeffries told reporters outside the Capitol. "This is about the state-sanctioned execution of American citizens on American soil without due process."

While DHS Secretary impeachment 2026 headlines dominate the news cycle, the political reality remains complex. Although the resolution is expected to pass the House where outrage is palpable, it faces a steep climb in the Republican-controlled Senate. However, the cracks in the GOP wall are becoming visible, with Senators like Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) publicly questioning Noem's leadership and the tactical aggression of "Operation Metro Surge."

The Shooting of Alex Pretti: A Nurse, Not a Terrorist

The catalyst for this constitutional showdown was the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. On Saturday, Pretti was documenting federal agents' actions during a protest in downtown Minneapolis when he was shot multiple times by Border Patrol tactical units mobilized under DHS authority.

The official narrative from DHS was immediate and uncompromising. Secretary Noem labeled Pretti a "domestic terrorist," claiming he "approached officers with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun" and "reacted violently" to commands. However, the Alex Pretti Minneapolis shooting investigation has been complicated by the release of bystander video and body camera footage that appears to contradict the official account.

Footage verified by major news outlets shows Pretti holding a smartphone, not a weapon, in the moments before he was tackled. While Pretti was a lawful concealed carry permit holder, witnesses assert his firearm remained holstered until agents initiated physical contact. "He was a healer, not a terrorist," said a colleague from the VA hospital during a vigil Tuesday night. "He died trying to help a woman who had been shoved to the ground."

Second Amendment Politics Create Strange Bedfellows

The ICE agent shooting fallout has transcended typical partisan lines, triggering a fierce debate over Second Amendment politics. Gun rights advocates, usually staunch allies of the administration, have voiced alarm at the precedent set by Pretti's killing. The core question resonating on conservative forums and talk radio is whether the mere presence of a legally carried firearm at a protest justifies lethal force by federal agents.

Prominent Second Amendment groups have been slow to defend the administration, with some local chapters joining the Minneapolis federal shooting protest. "If a citizen with a clean record and a valid permit can be gunned down for exercising their First Amendment rights while lawfully armed, then the Second Amendment is effectively null and void," noted a viral editorial from a leading firearms blog. This sentiment has pressured Republican lawmakers, who find themselves caught between defending the administration's immigration crackdown and protecting the rights of lawful gun owners.

The "Operation Metro Surge" Backlash

Minneapolis has become the epicenter of resistance against the administration's "Operation Metro Surge," a high-visibility initiative deploying Border Patrol and ICE tactical teams to "sanctuary" jurisdictions. The strategy, intended to be a centerpiece of the Trump administration 2026 midterm platform, has instead sparked civil unrest. The death of Renee Good earlier in January had already put the city on edge; Pretti's killing has pushed it to the breaking point.

Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz have demanded the immediate withdrawal of federal tactical teams, citing a complete breakdown in coordination with local law enforcement. "You ask us for peace, and we get shot in the face," Governor Walz said in a blistering press conference, reflecting the anger of a state that feels under siege.

What Comes Next?

As the House Judiciary Committee prepares to expedite the impeachment inquiry, the nation braces for further unrest. Activists have announced a "National Shutdown" protest for Friday, urging Americans to stay home from work and school to protest the DHS tactics. Meanwhile, the White House remains defiant. President Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Noem is "doing a fantastic job" and dismissed the impeachment effort as a "partisan witch hunt."

For Kristi Noem impeachment proponents, the goal may not just be removal, but accountability. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, the proceedings will ensure that the footage of Alex Pretti's final moments—and the administration's defense of the agents who fired the shots—remains at the forefront of the American political consciousness.