California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday reportedly escalated pressure on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, calling for her resignation following two shooting incidents involving federal law enforcement this week, one of which resulted in a fatality.
The most serious incident occurred Wednesday in Minneapolis, where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Macklin Good was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer after attempting to drive away from officers. Less than 24 hours later, two additional people were hospitalized in Portland, Oregon, after being shot by Border Patrol agents.
In a statement posted Friday by Newsom’s press office on the social media platform X, the Democratic governor demanded Noem step down. “Kristi Noem should resign — before more Americans are killed,” the post read. “She needs to be held to account.”
The death of Macklin Good sent shockwaves through Minneapolis, triggering protests across the city and beyond. Demonstrations were also fueled by recent increases in federal enforcement activity tied to what Noem has described as “rampant fraud” within Minnesota’s social services system. Hundreds of protesters later gathered outside an ICE building in Portland late Thursday night.
Even as his office condemned federal enforcement actions, Newsom urged demonstrators to avoid violence. In a post Thursday evening, his press office encouraged protesters to remain peaceful.
“Yet another attack and shooting by President Trump’s private police force on American soil. Disgusting,” the post stated. “Remember, if you are going to protest — do so peacefully. Do not play into their games of escalation. They do not care about you, only their agenda.”
The Minneapolis shooting has intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics, particularly after senior officials moved quickly to frame the incident as self-defense. Noem publicly described Macklin Good as a domestic terrorist, alleging she attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon. She claimed the woman was part of “a mob of agitators” who harassed ICE officers throughout the day, blocked their movement, and interfered with law enforcement operations.
That account has been sharply disputed by Democrats. Ken Martin, who hails from Minnesota, accused the administration of dishonesty in a post on X.
“A woman in Minnesota was shot and killed by ICE today. We all saw the video, and the Trump administration is lying about it,” Martin said. He went further, arguing that the federal government under President Trump is “not protecting the peace” and accused the administration of provoking chaos and violence as part of political theater. Martin also called for ICE to leave Minnesota.
While criticism of Noem has largely come from Democrats, some Republicans have also questioned her handling of the situation. Sen. Thom Tillis said it was unusual for a senior law enforcement official to reach conclusions while the scene was still under investigation.
“It was very unusual to have a senior law enforcement official draw a conclusion about an event where the scene was still being processed,” Tillis said Thursday. He added that while he hoped Noem’s advice to the president was based on solid information, law enforcement typically acknowledges the gravity of a loss of life while evidence is still being gathered.
Calls to impeach Noem have begun circulating among Democrats, though no Republicans have joined those efforts, making congressional action unlikely at this stage. Rep. Robin Kelly announced Wednesday that she is preparing to file articles of impeachment against Noem, citing obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing.
“We can’t just sit on the sidelines,” Kelly said during a Thursday appearance on CBS News Chicago, as the political fallout from the shootings continues to grow.
