Minneapolis, Minnesota — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday defended her decision to quickly label a fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer as an act of “domestic terrorism,” pushing back against criticism that her assessment came before a full investigation was completed.
In an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, Noem said the available evidence justified her public comments, arguing that the woman who was killed “weaponized” her vehicle, prompting officers to respond with lethal force. The incident involved a 37-year-old woman who was shot during an ICE encounter earlier this week, sparking debate over the use of force and the language used by senior officials in its aftermath.
“Everything that I’ve said has been proven to be factual and the truth,” Noem said, explaining that she had spoken with officers and supervisors on the ground shortly after the incident. She added that transparency required her to share what she described as confirmed details as quickly as possible.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) raised concerns about Noem’s approach, telling The Hill that it was “very unusual” for a senior law enforcement official to reach firm conclusions while the scene was still being processed and video evidence reviewed. CNN host Jake Tapper echoed those concerns, noting that many viewers interpreted the released footage as showing the woman attempting to flee rather than strike an officer.
Noem rejected that interpretation, stating that the vehicle made contact with an officer and met the federal definition of domestic terrorism, a position she said she continues to stand by as the investigation proceeds.
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