Thune Declines to Publicly Endorse Noem After Border Patrol Shooting Death

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, on Tuesday declined to publicly support Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following a fatal shooting of an anti-ICE protester in Minneapolis over the weekend.

“That’s the president’s judgment call,” Thune stated when asked about Noem, whom he has known for years and introduced at her confirmation hearing just one year ago.

Noem faces growing criticism after Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti last Saturday, marking the second fatal incident involving anti-ICE protesters this month.

Thune emphasized his support for an impartial investigation into Pretti’s death, urging state and local authorities as well as an independent federal probe conducted outside the Department of Homeland Security.

“Clearly, there are a lot of questions that have to be answered,” Thune said, noting that investigations are “necessary … any time there’s a shooting like that and lives lost.”

Noem has endured heightened scrutiny over the administration’s immigration enforcement strategies following Pretti’s death. President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday he remains steadfast in his support for Noem amid the controversy.

“I think she’s done a very good job,” Trump remarked as he left the White House for Iowa. “The border is totally secure.”

However, Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, urged Noem to step down.

“I voted for her. I think the president needs to look at who he has in place as Secretary of Homeland Security. I would not support her again, and I think it probably is time for her to step down,” Murkowski said.

While Thune avoided explicitly endorsing Noem’s record, he has similarly refused to fully defend other Trump administration officials under recent fire, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in December.

Thune, however, praised President Trump’s decision to deploy border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota, calling him “an experienced pro” and stating the move provides “an opportunity to evaluate and really assess the policies and procedures” central to immigration enforcement efforts.