Kristi Noem Clashes With Cbs’ Margaret Brennan In Tense Interview

During a heated interview with CBS’ Margaret Brennan, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday offered limited insight into a fatal ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis.

Throughout the "Face the Nation" interview, Brennan pressed Noem for information regarding the number of immigrants with a history of violent crime, the health of ICE agent Jonathan Ross and the status of the investigation into the shooting of Renee Good. But Noem repeatedly pushed back, at one point accusing Brennan of lying to the public.

“We wouldn't be in this situation if Joe Biden hadn't allowed our open border policies to be in place and allowed up to 20 million people unvetted into this country,” Noem said. When Brennan asked for the breakdown those in custody who have actually committed a criminal offense, Noem said every single individual has committed a crime — and 70 percent have committed or have charges against them on violent crimes.

“It’s not 70 percent,” Brennan responded, pointing to CBS’ own reporting that shows only 47 percent have criminal convictions. Brennan added that that number was based on the Homeland Security Department’s own data.

“You keep changing your percentage," Noem said. "You pick and choose what numbers you think work, but that is the fact, that 70 percent of the people that we have detained have charges against them or have been convicted of charges and they need to be brought to justice, and we're going to keep doing that no matter how much you guys keep lying and don't tell the public the truth.”

Brennan eventually moved on to ask Noem about the shooting of Good by Ross. But as she asked about Ross’s condition, Noem cut her off.

“Don't say his name, for heaven's sakes,” said Noem. “We shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement.”

“His name is published,” Brennan replied.

“I know but that doesn't mean it should continue to be said,” Noem said. She added that Ross and his family have faced attacks, though she did not specify from whom.

Ross has repeatedly been identified and named as the agent who opened fire into Good’s car following a verbal altercation between Good and another agent. The name of law enforcement officers involved in shootings are typically a matter of public record and court proceedings, but administration officials have expressed outrage on multiple occasions over federal agents allegedly being “doxxed” by anti-ICE protesters.

Noem and other officials have said Ross followed appropriate procedures on Jan. 7 when he shot Good, though others have questioned the justification for the shooting. Officials also said that Ross was injured from being hit by Good’s car.

When Brennan asked what Ross’s status was, Noem replied: “I'm not going to talk about his medical records.”

The tension between the two continued when Brennan pivoted to ask about the investigation into the shooting.

“Is he back at work? Did you give him his three days of suspension — three days of administrative leave?” Brennan asked. “This is in question because the governor of Minnesota said the only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her. Is he correct that the federal agent is not being investigated in any way? Is there any review of protocol here?”

Noem said DHS and ICE are following the same protocol that the Biden administration followed.

“So his actions are being reviewed?” Brennan asked.

“We haven't changed any of that. I wouldn't listen to Governor [Tim] Walz. He has a very bad track record,” Noem replied, referencing an ongoing investigation into fraud in Minnesota.

“So there is some review of his actions, is what I understand you saying there?” Brennan asked.

Noem answered: “There always is.”