White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt drew a contrast between President Donald Trump’s assessment of the killing of Alex Pretti and those of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.
During a press briefing on Monday, a journalist noted that “Noem said Pretti committed an act of domestic terrorism” and “Stephen Miller labeled him a domestic terrorist.” “Does the president agree?”
“I have not heard the president characterize Mr Pretti in that way. However, I have heard the president say he wants to let the facts and the investigation lead itself,” Leavitt answered.
ABC: Noem said Pretti committed an act of domestic terrorism. Stephen Miller labeled him a domestic terrorist. Does the president agree?
LEAVITT: I have not heard the president characterize Mr Pretti in that way pic.twitter.com/qsGs8MBPvM
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 26, 2026
It is yet another show of daylight between the assessments. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Trump didn’t answer when asked directly twice whether the officer that shot Pretti had done the right thing. “We’re looking, we’re reviewing everything and will come out with a determination,” he said.
Noem is under increased pressure after the killing of Pretti. California Governor Gavin Newsom called for her firing and more Democrats are joining a previous initiative seeking to impeach her.
Moreover, Sen. Jack Rosen of Nevada said on social media that Noem has been “an abject failure leading the Department of Homeland Security for the last year,” adding that recent violent altercations involving immigration agents are proof that Noem has lost control of her department and staff.
Over the weekend, eight more lawmakers signed on to it, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 120. The articles in question, introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly, accuse Noem of three counts: Obstruction of Congress, Violation of public trust and Self-dealing.
The first one involves cases when lawmakers were prevented from entering DHS facilities and withheld congressionally appropriated disaster relief funding. The second is in regards ICE’s denial of due process and violation of First and Fourth amendments to detainees. And the third involves reports that Noem awarded $220 million in contracts to a firm run by the husband of her top spokesperson.
Following Pretti’s death, Noem said Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a handgun and “violently resisted” when officers tried to disarm him. Speaking to reporters, Noem also labeled the incident “domestic terrorism” and accused Minnesota officials of inciting violence against federal officers.
“This individual who came with weapons and ammunition to stop a law enforcement operation of federal law enforcement officers committed an act of domestic terrorism,” Noem said during a news conference at FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. “That’s the facts.”
Originally published on Latin Times
