Rand Paul Calls Heads Of ICE, CBP To Testify Before The Homeland Security Committee After Killing Of Alex Petti

Republican Senator Rand Paul called on the heads of ICE, CBP and USCIS to testify before the Homeland Security Committee on Monday.

In a letter addressed at Todd Lyons, Joseph Edlow and Rodney Scott, Paul notes that the "Department of Homeland Security has been provided an exceptional amount of funding to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws."

"Congress has an obligation to conduct oversight of those tax dollars and ensure the funding is used to accomplish the mission, provide proper support for our law enforcement, and, most importantly, protect the American people," he added.

The call comes as the department is under increased pressure following the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday.

In fact, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt drew a contrast between President Donald Trump's assessment of the killing and that of Kristi Noem during a press briefing.

There, a journalist noted that "Noem said Pretti committed an act of domestic terrorism" and "Stephen Miller labeled him a domestic terrorist." "Does the president agree?" she asked.

"I have not heard the president characterize Mr Pretti in that way. However, I have heard the president say he wants to let the facts and the investigation lead itself," Leavitt answered.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has also called for Noem's firing and more Democrats are joining a previous initiative seeking to impeach her.

Moreover, Sen. Jack Rosen of Nevada said on social media that Noem has been "an abject failure leading the Department of Homeland Security for the last year," adding that recent violent altercations involving immigration agents are proof that Noem has lost control of her department and staff.

Over the weekend, eight more lawmakers signed on to it, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 120. The articles in question, introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly, accuse Noem of three counts: Obstruction of Congress, Violation of public trust and Self-dealing.

The first one involves cases when lawmakers were prevented from entering DHS facilities and withheld congressionally appropriated disaster relief funding. The second is in regards ICE's denial of due process and violation of First and Fourth amendments to detainees. And the third involves reports that Noem awarded $220 million in contracts to a firm run by the husband of her top spokesperson.

Following Pretti's death, Noem said Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a handgun and "violently resisted" when officers tried to disarm him. Speaking to reporters, Noem also labeled the incident "domestic terrorism" and accused Minnesota officials of inciting violence against federal officers.