Breaking: Support for Impeaching Kristi Noem Surges as Democrats and Republicans Break

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: The Parnas Perspective
Host: Aaron Parnas
Episode: Breaking: Support for Impeaching Kristi Noem Surges as Democrats and Republicans Break
Date: January 26, 2026

This explosive episode dissects the rapidly intensifying support—on both sides of the aisle—for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In the wake of the killing of Alex Preddy by federal immigration officials, Aaron Parnas explores the sudden and dramatic shift in Congress, detailing statements from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, as well as local officials and former President Obama. The episode captures the sense of chaos gripping Minneapolis and analyzes the bipartisan calls for transparency, accountability, and broad systemic reform.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Catalyst: Killing of Alex Preddy ([00:00])

• The episode opens by referencing the recent killing of Alex Preddy by ICE, triggering national outrage, especially within Congress.
• Aaron emphasizes that the reaction is not limited to partisan talking points: “There is now a groundswell of support within Congress to possibly impeach Kristi Noem.” ([00:08])

2. Breaking the Democratic Line: Rep. Laura Gillen’s Flip ([00:24])

• Rep. Laura Gillen (D)—noted for her centrist record—publicly supports impeaching Noem, surprising many due to her recent vote to fund ICE.
• Quote:

  “Another U.S. citizen has been killed at the hands of ICE. And there must be accountability, which is why Secretary Noem must be impeached immediately. Under her leadership, ICE has targeted US Citizens and children and killed Americans. She is not focused on safety or border security. She's focused on chaos and self-promotion...”
  — Laura Gillen (read by Aaron, [00:37])

3. House Homeland Security Committee Weighs In ([01:24])

• Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D): Issues a scathing attack on Noem and Trump, accusing them of fostering “purposeful chaos and violence.”
• Quotes:

  “Yet another US Citizen has been killed … in Minneapolis for exercising his First Amendment rights. This is sick and should shock all Americans. … Trump and Noem have blood on their hands.”
  “Do nothing Republicans in Congress must force ICE and CBP leaders to testify publicly. … The House must immediately take steps to impeach Kristi Noem.”
  ([01:28]–[02:10])

• Democrats call for ICE and CBP withdrawal from Minnesota and immediate bodycam footage release.

4. Republican Frustration and Calls for Hearings ([02:31])

• Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R): Unexpectedly breaks from the party line, calling for a committee hearing into federal enforcement practices.
  • Focus on transparency, the use of body cameras, and the conduct/training of officers.
• Sen. Bill Cassidy (R): Demands a full federal and state investigation, questioning ICE and DHS credibility.
  • Cassidy also emphasizes trusting the public with the truth.
  • Reflects a notable shift within GOP ranks.

5. Obama’s Intervention ([03:31])

• Former President Barack Obama: Weighs in publicly, lamenting the state of American values and rebuking federal law enforcement agencies for counterproductive escalation.
• Quote:

  “It is a heartbreaking tragedy, a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault. … That’s not what we're seeing in Minnesota.”
  ([03:41])

6. Governor Reactions: Kevin Stitt Breaks with Administration ([04:13])

• Governor Kevin Stitt (R-OK), also head of the National Governors Association, expresses discomfort with federal actions in Minnesota.
• Quote:

  “This is a real tragedy. … Americans don’t like what they’re seeing. … Is it to deport every single non US Citizen? I don’t think that’s what Americans want. We have to stop politicizing this. We need real solutions on immigration reform.”
  ([04:42]–[05:54])

• Stitt advocates for state-run workforce permits and reiterates the growing demand to return power to the states.

7. Local Strain: Minneapolis Police Chief’s Candid Plea ([06:24])

• Chief Brian O’Hara (Minneapolis): Expresses exhaustion and frustration.
• Quotes:

  “If there is an investigation that ultimately proves that at the time of the shooting, it was legally justified, I don’t think that even matters at this point because there just. There is so much outrage and concern around what is happening in the city.”
  ([06:24]) “We are stretched incredibly thin. This is taking an enormous toll. … It’s too much.”
  ([07:22])

• O’Hara highlights a pattern: 3 shootings in 3 weeks, and contrasts local police restraint with federal actions.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Aaron Parnas:

  “Even if [Democrats] don’t [take the House], there still may be enough votes if Republicans cross over...” ([00:29])

• Rep. Laura Gillen:

  “She is not focused on safety or border security. She’s focused on chaos and self-promotion, undermining local law enforcement and stoking violence.” ([00:40])

• Rep. Bennie Thompson:

  “Trump and Noem have blood on their hands ... ICE and CBP must leave Minnesota.” ([01:44]–[01:54])

• Rep. Michael Baumgartner:

  “It’s critically important that … Congress be given a better understanding of how immigration enforcement is being handled...” ([02:35])

• Gov. Kevin Stitt:

  “Nobody likes feds coming into their state. And so what’s the goal right now?” ([05:15])

• Chief Brian O’Hara:

  “People have had enough. ... This is not sustainable.” ([06:48])

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Aaron sets the stage: bipartisan outrage emerges | | 00:24 | Rep. Laura Gillen’s surprising support for impeachment | | 01:24 | Rep. Bennie Thompson calls for immediate impeachment | | 02:31 | Rep. Baumgartner and Sen. Cassidy break ranks | | 03:31 | Obama condemns federal response | | 04:13 | Gov. Stitt voices deep concerns and proposes solutions | | 06:24 | Minneapolis Chief Brian O’Hara’s reality check | | 07:42 | Aaron’s closing analysis and recap |

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Tone & Conclusions

Aaron Parnas maintains an urgent yet measured tone, unpacking the political chaos with clarity and insider perspective. Throughout, he stresses that this is a cross-partisan crisis, punctuated by direct, emotional language from both lawmakers and local officials. Law, media, and public outcry converge to create a genuine tipping point for immigration policy and federal accountability.

Final Thought:
As Aaron concludes, “It is just simply too much for a local police department to handle. Major developments right now.” ([07:42]) This moment of reckoning, he suggests, could shape the trajectory of national policy, state-federal relations, and public trust for years to come.

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Transcript

[A]

We have an important development this afternoon. Following the murder of Alex Preddy, there is now a groundswell of support within the United States Congress to possibly impeach Kristi Noem. And I think there are a lot of clickbait titles, a lot of thumbnails that will talk to you about this. But here's the truth. The truth is, just minutes ago, a centrist Democrat, Laura Gillen, who in a million years would never have come out in support of impeaching Kristi Noem, just did. She just voted last week to fund ice. And now, just after one day after the murder of Alex Preddy, she has come out and said that she will support impeaching Kristi Noem. It's not just her. The Democratic lead on the House Homeland Security Committee came out in support of Kristi Noem's impeachment. And while even Republicans right now are not happy based on all this, if Democrats take the House of Representatives, there'll be enough votes to impeach Kristi Noemi. But even if they don't, there still may be enough votes if Republicans cross over based on the amount of fury there is behind the scenes right now. Make sure to like, comment, share and subscribe to spread the word. And if you want to support my work, subscribe to my substack by clicking the link below. Let's just jump right into it. This is from Congresswoman Laura Gillen. Another U.S. citizen has been killed at the hands of ICE. And there must be accountability, which is why Secretary Noem must be impeached immediately. Under her leadership, ICE has targeted US Citizens and children and killed Americans. She is not focused on safety or border security. She's focused on chaos and self promotion, undermining local law enforcement and stoking violence. As a result, the American people deserve better. Now, I will say this. Here's the thing. Laura Gillen didn't come out and say she regrets voting to fund ice, which she did just a few days ago, but she is coming out and saying that she supports the impeachment of no. Meanwhile, here is from ranking member Thompson, Benny Thompson, on the House Homeland Security Committee. Quote, yet another US Citizen has been killed in cold blood by ICE and CBP in Minneapolis for exercising his First Amendment rights. This is sick and should shock all Americans. It is also more of the purposeful chaos and violence that Trump and Noem welcome and are responsible for. Trump and Noem have blood on their hands. He goes on to say, I apparently the Trump administration and its secret police only supports the first and Second Amendments when it's convenient to them. This is un American and has to stop. ICE and CBP must leave Minnesota at once. DHS must release the body camera footage. Do nothing. Republicans in Congress must force ICE and CBP leaders to testify publicly. The Senate must vote against funding CBP and ice. The House must immediately take steps to impeach Christie. No, that is significant. But. But it's not just Democrats who are upset. Republicans are, too. This is from Congressman Michael Baumgartner. I'm disturbed by what I've seen from today's video from Minnesota. It's critically important that the American people in Congress be given a better understanding of how immigration enforcement is being handled, including the methods federal law enforcement officers are using to prioritize, identify and arrest suspect targets, the training they are receiving, the implementation of body cameras, the threats they face in conducting operations. They called for a full committee hearing. Republicans have now called for a full committee hearing. That is significant because that is a break from the White House. He's not the only one. Senator Bill Cassidy, quote, the events in Minnesota are. Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. The credibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. There must be a full joint federal and state investigation. We can trust the American people with the truth. Here's what President Obama had to say today. Quote, it is a heartbreaking strategy, a wake up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault. Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job, but Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way and to work with rather than against state and local officials to ensure public safety. That's not what we're seeing in Minnesota. They criticize the administration for seeming, quote, eager to escalate the situation and giving explanations that appear to directly contradict the video evidence. He's not the only one. Here is Republican Governor Kevin Stitt from Oklahoma. Take a listen to this.

[B]

Governor, you are also the head of the National Governors Association. So I do want to ask about what's going on in Minnesota. I'm sure you've seen the video, maybe multiple videos of Alex Press being shot and killed by federal Border Patrol agents. The second fatal shooting by federal officials in Minnesota this month. Governor Waltz is demanding President Trump stop the crackdown there. Are you comfortable with what the Trump administration is doing in Minnesota?

[C]

Well, first off, this is a real tragedy. And I think the death of Americans, what we're seeing on tv, it's causing deep concerns over federal tactics and accountability. Americans don't like what they're seeing. Right now. But I want to step back for just a second because President Trump was elected to fix immigration issues. And, you know, there was broad agreement that we had to close the border. So the Biden era of four years of open Borden policies was disastrous. So broad agreement. President Trump closed the border, promised to get violent criminals out of our country. And I think everybody agrees with that. But now Americans are asking themselves, what is the end game? What is the solution? And, you know, we believe in federalism and state rights, and nobody likes feds coming into their state. And so what's the goal right now? Is it to deport every single non US Citizen? I don't think that's what Americans want. We have to stop politicizing this. We need real solutions on immigration reform. And, and I believe that I've got a great solution that we should give the states the authority to do workforce permits. Right.

[A]

I mean, that's as clear as day. He's coming out saying this is just not what Americans want. Americans elected Donald Trump to fix the immigration system, and he hasn't. We should take a look at what the President is saying this morning. This is what he put out today, quote, china successfully and completely taking over the once great country of Canada. So sad to see it happen. I only hope they leave ice hockey alone. That's what the President of the United States said. I do want you to hear directly from Minneapolis Chief Brian o', Hara, the police chief there, about the latest, though. So take a listen to this.

[D]

If there is an investigation that ultimately proves that at the time of the shooting, it was legally justified, I don't think that even matters at this point because there just. There is so much outrage and concern around what is happening in the city.

[B]

What do you mean it doesn't matter at this point? You mean the situation on the ground is already. The impression is left.

[D]

People have had enough. This is the third shooting now in less than three weeks. The Minneapolis Police Department went the entire year, last year, recovering about 900 guns from the street, arresting hundreds and hundreds of violent offenders, and we didn't shoot anyone. And now this is the second American citizen that's been killed. It's the third shooting within three weeks. People have been speaking out, saying that this was going to happen again. And I think everyone is kind of waiting for folks on both sides to come together and just figure this thing out. This is not sustainable. This police department has only 600 police officers. We, we are stretched incredibly thin. This is taking an enormous toll. Trying to manage all of this chaos on top of having to be the police department for a major city, it's too much.

[A]

He's 100% right. And that's the latest. Right now, he is 100% right. It is just simply too much for a local police department to handle. Major developments right now. Right now, major developments are happening. So make sure to like, comment, share and subscribe to spread the word. I'll have more updates for you soon. Please consider subscribing to my substack by clicking the link below and I'll see you very soon.