Questions about leadership at the Department of Homeland Security swirled outside the White House on Tuesday, but President Donald Trump offered an unequivocal response.
According to Fox News, during a brief exchange with reporters, Trump shut down speculation that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem might be forced out of her role.
Asked directly whether Noem would step aside, the president did not hesitate.
“Is Kristi Noem going to step down?” a reporter asked.
“No,” Trump responded bluntly.
Trump went on to praise Noem’s performance, telling reporters he believes she is doing a “very good job.” He specifically pointed to her involvement in efforts to secure the southern border, an issue that has remained a centerpiece of his administration’s agenda.
The president’s remarks come as Noem faces sharp criticism following two fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minnesota earlier this month.
The deaths of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good have ignited backlash from lawmakers and intensified scrutiny of federal enforcement operations in the region.
Among the most vocal critics is Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who publicly urged Trump to remove Noem from her post. In a message shared on X, Fetterman accused the secretary of failing the department she leads.
“I make a direct appeal to immediately fire Sec. Noem,” Fetterman wrote.
“Americans have died. She is betraying DHS’s core mission and trashing your border security legacy. DO NOT make the mistake President Biden made for not firing a grossly incompetent DHS Secretary,” he said.
Fetterman’s comments stood out in part because of his past willingness to break with fellow Democrats on immigration and border enforcement. He has previously urged his party to avoid abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and has taken a more pragmatic tone on border security than many of his colleagues.
The Minnesota incident has fueled broader concerns as the Trump administration continues an aggressive push to crack down on illegal immigration nationwide. Federal operations in major cities have expanded, drawing both praise and condemnation.
In a separate statement released Monday, Fetterman addressed the fatalities directly.
“Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti should still be alive. My family grieves for theirs,” he said.
“The operation in Minneapolis should stand down and immediately end. It has become an ungovernable and dangerous urban theatre for civilians and law enforcement that is incompatible with the American spirit,” he added.
Despite the growing political pressure, Trump made clear Tuesday that Noem retains his confidence, signaling no immediate changes at the top of the Department of Homeland Security.
