Sen. Tillis Slams Noem, Compares ICE Killings to Dog She Shot

Fiery exchange on Capitol Hill as senator criticizes DHS secretary's leadership

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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In a heated congressional hearing, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) ripped into Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, comparing the killings of American citizens by immigration agents in Minneapolis to an incident described in Noem's book where she shot and killed her family's pet dog.

Why it matters

The exchange highlights growing tensions between Republican and Democratic lawmakers over immigration enforcement tactics and leadership at the Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration. Noem's past actions and decision-making are being scrutinized as she faces criticism over recent high-profile incidents involving ICE and Border Patrol agents.

The details

During the hearing, Sen. Tillis told Noem that the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis were "bad decisions made in the heat of the moment. Not unlike what happened" when Noem shot and killed the family's 14-month-old dog, Cricket, while on a hunting trip. Noem had previously recounted the incident in her memoir, saying the dog was misbehaving so she led it to a gravel pit and shot it.

  • The congressional hearing took place on March 3, 2026.
  • The killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE and Border Patrol agents occurred in Minneapolis.

The players

Sen. Thom Tillis

A Republican senator from North Carolina who sharply criticized Kristi Noem's leadership as DHS secretary during the congressional hearing.

Kristi Noem

The current U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, appointed by former President Trump, whose past actions and decision-making are being scrutinized.

Renee Good

One of the American citizens killed by ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti

One of the American citizens killed by ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.

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What they’re saying

“Those are bad decisions made in the heat of the moment. Not unlike what happened up in Minneapolis. We're an exceptional nation, and one of the reasons we're exceptional is we expect exceptional leadership. And you've demonstrated anything but that.”

— Sen. Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The congressional hearing is ongoing, and it remains to be seen if further disciplinary action will be taken against Secretary Noem over her past actions and the recent incidents involving ICE and Border Patrol agents.

The takeaway

This exchange highlights the deep partisan divides and heightened tensions over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, with Republican lawmakers like Sen. Tillis harshly criticizing DHS leadership and decision-making that has led to the deaths of American citizens.