Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explained the reasoning behind her previous statements regarding the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, in which she referred to him as a “domestic terrorist,” during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. Noem said she relied on the “best information” that was available at the time and sent to her from agents and officers who were present during the shooting.
“That situation was very chaotic,” said Noem. “We were being relayed information from on the ground from CBP agents and officers that were there. We were using the best information we had at the time, seeking to be transparent toward the American people and get them what we knew to be true on the ground.”
Noem’s comments come as the Trump administration has altered its original tone and strategies in Minnesota after the fatal shooting. First, there was the revelation that border czar Tom Homan would now be leading illegal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. Then presidential adviser Stephen Miller revealed that agents in the state may have broken protocol during operations. Meanwhile, Noem said on Thursday the current FBI investigation of Pretti’s shooting would ensure “the American people know the truth of the situation.”
“We will continue to follow the investigation that the FBI is leading and giving them all the information that they need to bring that to conclusion and make sure the American people know the truth of the situation and how we can go forward and continue to protect the American people,” Noem said.
During the interview, Hannity asked Noem if there were “any lessons to be learned” from the Pretti shooting. Noem replied that she is committed to daily improvement and that, along with DHS, she can “always do better.”
“We believe that we can always do better, and we seek to do that every single day,” Noem said. “And we want to make sure that we not only improve protocols on the ground in chaotic and volatile situations like this, but that we continue to find the truth around this situation and get the facts to the American people and make sure that we continue to do our work every day with integrity.”
Noem also emphasized that DHS would stay the course and continue to “get criminals and dangerous people off the streets like these officers have been for months, ever since President Trump came back into office.”
She also lauded the courage of federal law enforcement officers as they continue to do their jobs in such challenging situations and a tenuous political climate.
“They take an oath to go out and protect these communities and to keep them safe, and that’s one of the jobs that they take very seriously, especially in Minneapolis, as we’ve seen this kind of violent riots go forward and attack them,” Noem said.
