House Speaker Mike Johnson threw his full weight behind Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem this morning, following intense scrutiny over her handling of the recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis.
During a Meet the Press interview, Johnson confirmed he has “100% confidence” in Noem, despite her controversial claims that one of the deceased, Alex Pretti, was a “domestic terrorist” who brandished a weapon—a narrative later contradicted by video evidence and her own department.
Johnson pushed back against calls for new leadership at DHS, framing Noem’s struggles as the byproduct of a “crushing assignment” inherited from the previous administration.
READ: GOP Crushing Democrats In Money Race As High-Stakes Midterms Loom
While he conceded that officials should avoid “prejudging circumstances” before all facts are in, he diverted blame toward local officials. The Speaker argued that if local police had arrested Pretti for prior incidents, such as “kicking out the taillights of an ICE vehicle,” he might still be alive today rather than involved in a fatal confrontation on the streets.
The defense of Noem comes as Johnson also signaled a potential “recalibration” of ICE operations. While he and President Trump remain committed to the mass removal of “hardened criminals,” the Speaker revealed that negotiations are underway to adopt several reform requests.
Johnson noted that both the White House and “Border Czar” Tom Homan are open to implementing mandatory body cameras and ending roving patrols, though they remain deadlocked with Democrats over new judicial warrant requirements and the use of masks to protect agent identities.
READ: Epstein Files Fallout: DOJ Defends FBI’s Handling Of ‘Unverified’ Claims As Records Dump
Despite the ongoing friction, Johnson emphasized that a rare bipartisan dialogue is moving forward. He recounted a recent Oval Office meeting between President Trump, Tom Homan, and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, suggesting that while specific “bureaucratic” hurdles remain, the GOP is ready to find “reasonable” middle ground to restore order.
For now, however, the Speaker’s primary message was one of solidarity with the embattled DHS Secretary, insisting she has the toughest job in Washington.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
