Kristi Noem clashes with CBS’ Margaret Brennan in tense interview

In a lively interview with CBS’ Margaret Brennan, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday offered limited insight into the deadly ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis.

Throughout the “Face the Nation” interview, Brennan asked Noem about the number of immigrants with histories 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 resisted, at one point accusing Brennan of lying to the public.

“We would not be in this situation if Joe Biden had not allowed our open border policies to take place and allowed up to 20 million people unchecked into this country,” Noem said. When Brennan asked for a breakdown of inmates who had actually committed a criminal offense, Noem said that every individual had committed a felony — and that 70 percent had committed or were charged with violent crimes.

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

“You keep changing your percentage,” Noem said. “You pick the numbers that you think are valid, but it’s the fact that 70 percent of the people that we’ve detained have charges against them or have been convicted of those charges and they need to be brought to justice, and we’re going to continue to do that no matter how much you continue to lie and not tell the truth to the public.”

Brennan finally asked Noem about filming Ross’ Good. But as she asked about Ross’s condition, Noem interrupted her.

“Don’t say his name, for heaven’s sake,” Noem said. “We should not let people continue to harm law enforcement.”

“His name is published,” Brennan replied.

“I know, but that doesn’t mean it has to continue to be said,” Noem said. She added that Ross and his family had been victims of attacks, but did not specify by whom.

Ross was repeatedly identified and referred to as the officer who opened fire on Good’s car following a verbal altercation between Good and another officer. The names of law enforcement officers involved in shootings are generally a matter of public record and court proceedings, but administration officials have repeatedly expressed outrage over federal agents allegedly being “doxxed” by anti-ICE protesters.

Noem and other officials said Ross followed proper procedures on Jan. 7 when he shot Good, although others have questioned the justification for the shooting. Officials also said Ross was injured after being struck by Good’s car.

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

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

“Is he back to 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 under investigation for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her. Is he correct that the federal agent is not under investigation? Is there a review of protocol here?”

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

“So his actions are under review?” »Brennan asked.

“We haven’t changed anything about that. I wouldn’t listen to the governor [Tim] Waltz. He has a very bad record,” Noem responded, referring to an ongoing fraud investigation in Minnesota.

“So there is a review of his actions, do I understand what you are saying there? »Brennan asked.

Noem replied: “There always is. »