Top US House Democrats have threatened to launch impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem unless she is fired by President Donald Trump, in response to the weekend killing of a man by federal agents in Minneapolis.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his deputies, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar, said in a joint statement on Tuesday that the violence unleashed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “must end forthwith” and that Noem should be fired immediately, warning that they would commence impeachment proceedings in the House if she is not removed. The matter could be handled “the easy way or the hard way,” they added.

The ultimatum followed a wave of criticism after a majority of the House Democratic caucus signed on to articles of impeachment introduced earlier this month over the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both US citizens killed by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents in Minneapolis. The incidents, part of increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement operations in the city, have intensified scrutiny of Homeland Security and calls for Noem’s removal.

Pressure has also mounted from some Republican lawmakers who have joined calls for her to resign.

A Democratic impeachment push led by Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois has drawn 162 co-sponsors, adding 51 Democrats since Pretti’s killing, according to congressional aides. No Republicans have joined the impeachment effort so far, although dozens have called for an investigation into the shooting.

Minneapolis has seen days of demonstrations after a controversial federal immigration enforcement push in Minnesota. The DHS has deployed thousands of agents in its largest interior operation to date, aimed at arresting illegal immigrants.

Trump defended Noem on Wednesday, signaling her job was not in immediate jeopardy. Asked as he left the White House whether Noem would step down, he replied, “No,” and later told Fox News he had confidence in her, saying she had “closed up the border” and calling the effort a “tremendous success.”

Impeachments of US cabinet officials are rare. Two years ago, the Republican-led House impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the Biden administration’s border and immigration policies, but the Senate dismissed the charges. Before that, the only cabinet member ever impeached was War Secretary William Belknap in 1876, who was also acquitted.

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