Lofgren, Judiciary Democrats Press Chairman Jordan for Hearing with Secretary Noem Following Fatal Shootings of American Citizens by DHS in Minneapolis

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and House Judiciary Committee Democrats demanded Chairman Jim Jordan hold a House Judiciary Committee hearing with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal federal agent shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis who were peacefully exercising their First and Second Amendment rights. 

The House Judiciary Committee Majority’s own website says that “the Committee’s oversight responsibility for the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security” is “[p]articularly important in our time.”  Yet not a single witness from DHS has appeared before the Judiciary Committee during this Congress.

“This Committee has devoted years of oversight to alleged First Amendment violations by social media companies and has subpoenaed foreign companies over censorship concerns abroad. Mr. Chairman: look what’s happening right in front of our eyes. Federal agents have shot dead two American citizens in the past two weeks for doing no more than exercising their fully protected rights to protest, observe, and record law enforcement in public,” wrote the Members.

The lawmakers want answers regarding the killings of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an ICU nurse and lawful gun owner who was filming law enforcement activity, and Renée Nicole Good, an unarmed mother of three who was observing an ICE operation from her vehicle.

Immediately following the shootings, Secretary Noem publicly labeled both victims “domestic terrorists” without evidence. But video footage viewed nationwide and verified by multiple news outlets contradicts DHS’s claims and all but proves that the shootings were without any legal justification.

Footage shows Mr. Pretti holding a cell phone when he was tackled by multiple agents and shot repeatedly in the back. Video also appears to show agents removing a firearm from his possession before another agent fired ten shots. Minneapolis Police have confirmed that Mr. Pretti had a valid permit to carry under Minnesota law and no criminal record.

Similarly, video evidence shows that Ms. Good was shot while seated in her car observing an ICE operation. Although DHS claimed she attempted to run over agents, footage shows her steering her car away from the agent who fired three shots into her vehicle.

“The attempted cover-up by DHS requires an inquiry by the House Judiciary Committee. Mr. Chairman, if your commitment to the First and Second Amendments—not to mention the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of due process—is genuine, as we have always believed it to be, then this Committee cannot look away when federal agents gun down Americans for peacefully exercising their constitutional rights,” wrote the Members.

The lawmakers’ demand comes amid reports that Secretary Noem will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3.

Click here to read the letter to Chairman Jordan.

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