Trump Defends DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Amid Minnesota Killings

In a Truth Social post Friday, President Donald Trump defended Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying critics attack her "because she is a woman" and praising border czar Tom Homan, according to the post.

Noem faces calls to resign and impeachment threats after the Jan. 24 fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents and the Jan. 7 fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good, officials and lawmakers said.

Administration officials confirmed Noem was skipped at a Cabinet meeting Thursday and that the president tapped border czar Tom Homan to oversee operations in Minneapolis this week.

Crime experts have disputed Trump's claim that the U.S. murder rate "reached the lowest level in 125 years," saying declines began before his term, according to analysts and public safety data reviews.

Lawmakers from both parties have threatened congressional investigations and possible impeachment, and administration officials said oversight and protests in Minneapolis are expected to continue into coming weeks.