Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Donald Trump has embarrassed South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem with a high-profile personnel decision following the fatal shooting of an anti-ICE protester in Minneapolis.
In a major leadership reshuffle, Trump dispatched Border Czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis, signaling his willingness to sideline even loyal allies amid public outcry over recent deadly incidents. The move comes after Noem held a private two-hour meeting with Trump on Monday evening, alongside advisers including Corey Lewandowski, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Communications Director Steven Cheung.
Homan was sent to assume oversight of the city following the removal of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino and the deaths of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, and Renee Good. The decision effectively undercut Noem, who had vigorously defended the border agent responsible for Pretti’s death and controversially labeled the nurse a “domestic terrorist” on Sunday, a characterization Trump appeared to distance himself from.
“I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there,” Trump told the Wall Street Journal. “Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me. I don’t like any shooting. I don’t like it.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified during a briefing that Trump had not characterized Pretti as a domestic terrorist.
Political Fallout
The move comes as House Democrats escalate their scrutiny of Noem. A probe has been launched into her actions, with 140 members co-sponsoring an impeachment resolution alleging self-dealing, obstruction of Congress, and breaches of public trust. The measure now has support from 145 of the 213 Democrats in the House, though Republican backing remains absent.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson dismissed the initiative as “silly,” suggesting Democrats focus instead on crime in their own constituencies. Despite the lack of bipartisan support, Democrats plan to continue their inquiry.
