During a Sunday interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Jake Tapper attempted to challenge Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her remarks about the ICE officer involved in the self‑defense shooting in Minneapolis last week. What started as a line of questioning quickly turned into Tapper being put on the defensive as Noem pushed back forcefully.
Tapper pressed Noem on whether her characterization of the incident as an “act of domestic terrorism” and her confident assertions about the officer’s conduct might be premature before the investigation is complete. The fatal shooting occurred after an ICE agent was reportedly endangered by a woman who accelerated her vehicle toward officers during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis, triggering national debate.
Noem reiterated that the ICE officer followed his training and emphasized that law enforcement must be able to defend itself in dangerous situations. When Tapper pressed on the timing and tone of her comments, Noem turned the tables.
Noem directly called out Tapper for what she described as a double standard in CNN’s coverage, asking why Tapper had not similarly criticized prominent Democrats — including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez — for their early condemnation of the officer. She pointed out that both Frey and AOC made accusatory and inflammatory remarks about the incident before all the facts were established.
As Tapper attempted to interject, Noem challenged him to “call them out” with the same intensity he used in questioning her, highlighting what she views as inconsistent media scrutiny. She maintained that she had shared only factual information and urged Tapper to hold other public figures to the same standard she applied to federal officials.
The exchange underscored growing friction between Noem and national media figures over the portrayal of federal law enforcement actions and protester responses. Noem framed her comments as grounded in available evidence and defended her approach as direct and transparent. She concluded by affirming that she would continue to provide factual updates as the investigation unfolds, even as the discussion turned heated.
