Amy Klobuchar confronts Kristi Noem over domestic terrorism label 

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Amy Klobuchar confronts Kristi Noem over domestic terrorism label: Lindsey Granger | RISING

Amy Klobuchar confronts Kristi Noem over domestic terrorism label: Lindsey Granger | RISING

When the secretary of Homeland Security uses the phrase “domestic terrorism,” it carries enormous weight. It shapes headlines. It frames public opinion. And for families grieving a loved one, it can define how the country remembers them.  

This week, Kristi Noem appeared before Congress for the first time since the immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis. She was pressed by Amy Klobuchar about comments she made in the immediate aftermath of two fatal shootings, involving U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti.  

Here’s what Sen. Klobuchar asked her: “After the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, when I spoke to Alex’s parents, they told me that you calling him a domestic terrorist — this was directly from them the day after he was killed — a nurse in our VA, Alex, one of the most hurtful things they could ever imagine was said by you about their son. Do you have anything you want to say to Alex Pretti’s parents?”  

Here’s how Secretary Noem responded: “We were relying in the hours after that incident that was so horrific, on information we were getting from the ground from our agents … I can’t even imagine what they have gone through in the loss of their son and the loss of their family members. … Ma’am, I did not call him a domestic terrorist. I said it appeared to be an incident of [domestic terrorism].”  

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis didn’t hold back on his feelings about Noem’s job performance: “We just want numbers. We want 1,000 a day, 6,000 a day, 9,000 a day because numbers matter, right? No, they don’t matter. Quality matters — not quantity, quality, and what we’ve seen is a disaster under your leadership, Miss Noem, a disaster. What we’ve seen is innocent people getting detained that turn out our American citizens. I could talk about the culture that’s been created here with Stephen Miller aiding and abetting. I heard first reports that he was the one that said it was a domestic terror situation where two people lost their lives in Minneapolis.”

Here’s where I land. Words matter, especially when they come from the top law enforcement official in the country. Labeling something “domestic terrorism” before investigations are complete isn’t just descriptive; it’s declarative. It tells the public how to feel before all the facts are known.  

Noem has since declined multiple opportunities to directly apologize or retract. And that has fueled bipartisan backlash. More than 160 House Democrats have supported impeachment efforts. Democratic leaders like Hakeem Jeffries have called for her firing. Sens. John Fetterman and Elizabeth Warren have urged her resignation. Even Republican Sens. Tom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski have publicly questioned her leadership.  

This isn’t about politics for me. It’s about accountability. If you speak too soon and it causes confusion and pain, the most human response is simple: say you’re sorry.  

Leadership doesn’t mean never making mistakes. It means knowing when your words went too far and having the humility to own it.  

Lindsey Granger is a NewsNation contributor and co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising.” This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.   

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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