"Noem came under fire for claiming that Alex Pretti, a protester who federal immigration agents shot and killed in Minnesota, wanted to 'kill' agents and 'committed an act of domestic terrorism.' The incendiary and misleading rhetoric set off a blame game within the administration. Bystander videos showed Pretti never reached for his gun and had been disarmed before he was shot."
"DHS spent millions on ads promoting Trump's mass deportation agenda through videos starring Noem. Sen. John Kennedy questioned Noem in early March during a congressional hearing about how the ads square with her 'concern for [government] waste.' Multiple outlets reported that Noem's contention that Trump approved the ad blitz enraged the president."
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is departing her position to become special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a new Western Hemisphere security initiative. Her departure follows multiple controversies. Noem made inflammatory and inaccurate claims about Alex Pretti, a protester killed by federal immigration agents, falsely characterizing his actions as terrorism and claiming he brandished a weapon. Bystander videos contradicted her account, showing Pretti was disarmed before being shot. Additionally, DHS spent millions on advertisements promoting Trump's mass deportation agenda featuring Noem. Senator John Kennedy questioned the spending during a congressional hearing. Noem stated Trump tasked her with the ad campaign, but reports indicated the president was angered by her claims that he approved the expensive advertising blitz.
#trump-administration #dhs-leadership-change #immigration-policy #government-spending-controversy #misleading-statements
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