Sen. John Fetterman’s latest publicity stunt — publicly demanding President Trump fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — is a naked bid for headlines after a tragic and chaotic enforcement operation in Minneapolis that resulted in two civilian deaths. Fetterman, who once backed Noem’s nomination, is now attempting to grandstand as investigators work through conflicting accounts of what happened.
The deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good during the Minneapolis operation have rightly sparked outrage and calls for a real, transparent investigation as video and witness accounts raised serious questions about the circumstances of both shootings. The Supreme duty is to find the facts and hold any wrongdoers accountable, not to score political points by demanding scapegoats before investigations conclude.
What makes Fetterman’s flip-flop even more striking is that he had previously supported aspects of the Trump administration’s border policy and even voted to confirm Noem, only to turn on her when it served a partisan narrative. Conservatives should call out that kind of opportunism from the left — it weakens legitimate oversight and hands the media a headline instead of a solution.
At the same time, this is a moment for conservatives to defend the rule of law while demanding accountability. Attacking law enforcement and ICE without acknowledging the difficult, dangerous work they do plays into the hands of the cartels and the left’s long-term project to undermine border security. Law enforcement mistakes, if proven, must be punished, but gutting an agency in the wake of a complicated incident is not leadership — it’s political theater.
Washington Democrats are eager to weaponize every tragedy for a fundraising email, and the media are gleeful to amplify it, but the bigger issue is whether Congress will fund and equip agencies to do their jobs responsibly. A partisan rush to defund or politicize DHS while ignoring the need for clearer rules of engagement and better coordination with local law enforcement will only produce more chaos. Americans deserve both effective border security and a fair, independent inquiry.
President Trump should insist on a thorough, honest investigation and resist pressure to make snap personnel decisions that answer headlines rather than facts. Conservatives must stand for accountability that respects due process while making clear we will not cower from enforcing the law or from defending the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way for our safety.
Hardworking Americans are tired of the theater from both parties — they want competent leadership, results at the border, and justice when officials cross the line. Demand investigations, demand reform, and demand that our leaders stop weaponizing tragedy for political gain; that is how we restore trust in institutions and keep our country safe.
