After lockstep unity on immigration for the first year of Trump 2.0, a growing number of Republican lawmakers are calling for investigations and testimony from top Trump officials after the deadly shooting of Alex Pretti.
Why it matters: The dam is breaking, with Republicans more directly questioning the administration — including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — for its handling of the tragedy in Minnesota.
- "I disagree with Noem's premature DHS response, which came before all the facts were known and weakened confidence," Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) posted on X on Monday.
Driving the news: Noem is expected to testify for an oversight hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3, Chair Chuck Grassley's (R-Iowa) office confirmed.
- The GOP chairs of Homeland Security committees in both chambers have also called on top DHS officials to testify in upcoming hearings.
- "Today, I call on the heads of ICE, CBP, and USCIS to testify before the Homeland Security Committee," Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) posted Monday afternoon, along with screenshots of his requests.
What they're saying: "I am deeply troubled by the shootings in Minneapolis involving federal agents," Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) posted on Monday.
- "Our Constitution provides citizens protection from the government. We have a right to free speech, to peaceably assemble and to bear arms," Moran continued.
- "I would encourage the administration to be more measured, to recognize the tragedy, and to say, we don't want anyone's lives to be lost," Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told reporters.
- "I support a full and transparent investigation into the tragic event in Minneapolis," Sen. Todd. Young (R-Ind.) said in a statement. "Congress has requested testimony from ICE, CBP, and USCIS leaders in an open hearing, and they should testify soon."
- This builds on other GOP statements from over the weekend — such as from Sens. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.), Max Miller (R-Ohio) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
What we're hearing: Many congressional Republicans have been quietly frustrated by the administration's hasty public response to the shooting, aides tell Axios.
- In an email sent to congressional Republicans on Saturday, obtained by Axios, the DHS communications director wrote that there was an "incident between US Border Patrol officers and an illegal alien with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun," referring to the killing of Pretti.
- Multiple GOP aides said the message frustrated lawmakers who felt DHS had once again gotten ahead of the facts.
What to watch: President Trump's softened tone and decision to dispatch White House Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota on Monday was welcomed by Republican lawmakers. More than a dozen of them publicly celebrated the move.
- ICE "duties must be exercised in a way that maintains and restores public trust. Tom Homan's deployment to Minnesota is a good move," Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) posted.
- "Minnesotans deserve a state where the rule of law is respected. I welcome Tom Homan to Minnesota to oversee these critical operations. His 'tough but fair' leadership is exactly what is needed to address the rising chaos," Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.) posted on X.
- One GOP aide told Axios the positive reinforcement of Homan amounts to a subtle rebuke of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's handling of the situation.
The other side: "There is only one page: the President's page. Everyone's on the same page," a senior DHS official told Axios.
- "Secretary Noem is focused on restoring law and order and executing on the President's agenda for mass deportations—not publicity," the official continued.
- In a post on X, Noem called Homan a "major asset to our team," adding that Homan's deployment is a "good news for peace, safety, and accountability in Minneapolis."
Zoom out: Despite the growing GOP concerns, there is very little appetite for allowing the Minnesota backlash to derail funding the federal government this week — despite Democrats' insistence that DHS funding be stripped.
- "The tragic death of Alex Pretti has refocused attention on the Homeland Security bill, and I recognize that and share the concerns," Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) said on the Senate floor.
The bottom line: Collins urged senators to recognize "the vast majority of the funding in this bill, more than 80%, is for non-immigration and non-border security functions."
- "I urge my colleagues to recognize the vital role DHS plays across our country and the many agencies they oversee such as FEMA, the Coast Guard, TSA, Secret Service, and more," Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), who chairs the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, said in a statement.
- While she expressed support for an investigation, she warned against a shutdown. "As we approach a government funding deadline, I remain committed to finding a pathway forward," she wrote.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
