There were a couple of things missing from Thursday‘s Cabinet meeting — questions from the media and no statement by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
President Donald Trump ended the meeting and touted more streamlined approach over giving everyone a chance to speak, per Mediaite.
The president spoke of strikes on alleged drug boats out of Venezuela then touted a couple Cabinet members.
Trump lauded Attorney General Pam Bondi for doing a “great” job. He also asked Vice President JD Vance if he’d like to speak.
“It’s OK, sir, I’m just here for the free coffee,” Vance said jokingly. “And to say it’s an honor to serve with this group and we’re doing a lot of good for the American people.”
Watch:
Trump then ended the meeting without giving reporters a chance to ask questions.
Many noted Noem’s silence after the criticism she has received “over her messaging on federal authorities shooting and killing 37-year-old Minneapolis man Alex Pretti, per the outlet.
Kaitlan Collins from CNN reported after the meeting it was “notable” Noem did not speak.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been in a cabinet meeting covering the president, where he did not take questions from reporters. He called on a handful of cabinet secretaries, but one that he notably did not call on was Kristi Noem,” she said.
Watch:
Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration agents Saturday.
Noem as well as other administration officials defended the agents and suggested Pretti meant the agents harm.
Noem claimed Pretti was going to “kill law enforcement” and had a gun.
Second Amendment advocates have said the fact he had a gun is not enough to constitute a life or death threat.
Noem reportedly said “everything” she’d done was at the direction of the president and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who referred to Pretti as an “assassin” shortly after the shooting.
