GRAND RAPIDS — Former Congressman Justin Amash has joined a growing bipartisan and third-party movement calling for the impeachment and removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

On January 24, Amash publicly demanded Noem’s ouster, citing a lack of “disciplined leadership” within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In addition to removal, Amash called on Congress to halt all funding for the agency until significant reforms are implemented. His proposed requirements for future funding include mandatory body cameras, a ban on agents wearing masks, and established protocols for investigating and punishing federal agent misconduct.

Amash’s statement follows a tense weekend in Minneapolis marked by the second fatal shooting of a resident by federal agents this month. The death of Alex Pretti on Saturday has reignited national scrutiny of “Operation Metro Surge” and the tactics employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The call for impeachment is not isolated to third-party critics. As of late January, more than 100 members of Congress have backed efforts to remove Noem from office. Rep, Robin Kelly (D-IL) had previously introduced articles of impeachment on January 13, accusing Noem of constitutional violations and “terrorizing communities”.

The reaction from Amash’s demand was immediate. Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini, a Republican, responded to Amash’s call for impeachment with a brief profanity, to which Amash replied by accusing Sabatini of “licking the boots” of the administration.