Republican Senator Shifts Trump Insult Towards Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller

[ad_1] Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina responded to President Donald Trump calling him a "loser" on Wednesday by taking a swipe at Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem and Deputy Chief of Workers for Coverage Stephen Miller.

Why It Issues Tillis' comment provides to rising intra-Republican pushback on the Trump administration over immigration enforcement as senators face a funding deadline and debate new potential limits on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) techniques after two lethal shootings in Minneapolis.

Democrats have additionally moved to dam a Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) funding invoice.

What To Know Noem has confronted rampant requires her resignation after 37-year-old Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal immigration brokers on Saturday, marking the second loss of life this month involving immigration enforcement. Renee Nicole Good, additionally 37, was killed by an ICE officer on January 7.

Tillis and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have joined Democratic lawmakers in calling for her ouster.

Reacting to that in an interview with ABC Information, Trump known as each senators "losers."

"They're horrible senators. One is gone and the opposite ought to be gone," Trump instructed the outlet. "What Murkowski says—she's all the time in opposition to the Republicans anyway. And Tillis determined to drop out. So you understand, he misplaced his voice as soon as he did that."

<img id="11433465" alt="" caption="WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 27: U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) talks with reporters ahead of a vote in the U.S. Capitol on January 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Senate is discussing DHS funding as tensions remain high in Minneapolis after the shooting death of Alex Pretti by federal agents. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)" captionoverride="U.S. Senator Thom Tillis addresses reporters ahead of a vote in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="5208" height="3472" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2258564789.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2258564789.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2258564789.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2258564789.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2258564789.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2258564789.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/GettyImages-2258564789.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> On Wednesday, reacting to the president's comment, Tillis mentioned, "I'm thrilled about that. That makes me certified to be Homeland Safety secretary AND senior adviser to the president."

Tillis additionally mentioned Noem and Miller are exhibiting "incompetence" amid the Minneapolis strife involving federal immigration brokers.

In an e mail to Newsweek on Wednesday, the White Home shared an announcement from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying, "Stephen Miller is certainly one of President Trump’s most trusted and longest serving aides. The President loves Stephen.”

The White Home additionally shared earlier feedback the president has made about Noem lately that say Trump has confidence in her.

"I feel she's doing an excellent job ... the border is completely safe. , you overlook, we had a border that I inherited the place thousands and thousands of individuals have been coming by. Now, we have now a border the place nobody is coming by," Trump mentioned partly this week. He additionally mentioned Noem was not going to step down, when requested by reporters.

What Folks Are Saying Speedy Response 47, on X Monday: ".@PressSec: "@Sec_Noem nonetheless has the utmost confidence and belief of @POTUS, and he or she's persevering with to supervise the complete @DHSgov... Border Czar [Tom] Homan is in a novel place to drop the whole lot and go to Minnesota to proceed having these productive conversations with state and native officers."

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, on X Tuesday: "I've spoken with the White Home and with DHS Secretary Noem concerning the ICE operations. I requested Secretary Noem to pause the operations in each Maine and Minnesota. I imagine they need to be reviewed and much more focused of their scope. I've additionally known as for an impartial investigation into the tragic capturing of Alex Pretti. Right now of heightened tensions, these steps are mandatory to assist enhance belief, accountability, and security."

Murkowski, on X Sunday: "The tragedy and chaos the nation is witnessing in Minneapolis is stunning. The killing yesterday of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, by ICE brokers ought to elevate severe questions throughout the administration concerning the adequacy of immigration-enforcement coaching and the directions officers are given on finishing up their mission. Lawfully carrying a firearm doesn't justify federal brokers killing an American—particularly, as video footage seems to point out, after the sufferer had been disarmed. A complete, impartial investigation of the capturing should be carried out in an effort to rebuild belief and Congressional committees want to carry hearings and do their oversight work. ICE brokers do not need carte blanche in finishing up their duties."

Miller, on X Saturday reacting to video of Pretti's killing: "A would-be murderer tried to homicide federal legislation enforcement and the official Democrat account sides with the terrorists."