By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
U.S Reps. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood), Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Pasadena), and Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Valley Village) yesterday demanded Department of Homland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s impeachment and announced to reform federal immigration enforcement, citing growing bipartisan concern over two Americans killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
The announcement at Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles, came hours before officers involved in one fatal shooting – that of Alex Pretti, 37, were placed on administrative leave—a development the lawmakers attributed to mounting pressure from both parties.
“We have seen two Republican senators call for Christine Nome to be fired. This is the result, not just of the video that shows what happened in these cases, but also because of public pressure,” said Friedman. “If a local police chief here in Los Angeles acted the way that Christy Nome is acting. I’d be fighting to make sure they were out of their job before the sun sets.”
Besides supporting the resolution to impeach Secretary Noem (Rep. Robin Kelly), the three federal lawmakers announced support for multiple reform bills, including No Masks for ICE Act requiring agent identification (Rep. Nydia Velázquez), the Bivens Act, ending ICE immunity from lawsuits (Reps. Hank Johnson and Jamie Raskin) and rescinding ICE funding from the “Big Ugly Bill.”
Friedman established six conditions before voting for any ICE/DHS funding: end Operation Metro Surge, require visible identification, hold accountable officers who violate rights and court orders, mandate warrants, ban improper detention of citizens, and establish use-of-force standards.
Friedman also demanded “immediate termination” of Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, who oversaw Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, and “should not be allowed to slink back to California to lead enforcement here.”
The lawmakers also drew parallels to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) extension fight, where sustained pressure convinced 17 Republicans to break with leadership.
“If we’re relentless, if we’re as relentless about this as we were about ACA, I believe we’ll have the same result,” Friedman said.
Sherman noted that the majority of House Democrats have signed on to the impeachment articles and that “Republicans in Minneapolis” are “dialing down” enforcement in response to constituent pressure.
The announcement of administrative leave appeared to support their argument. “Obviously, the Trump administration didn’t want to put these killers on administrative leave,” Sherman said, “but he heard the country.”
The representatives acknowledged minority party limitations. Asked about compelling Noem to testify, Sherman was direct: “It would take a lot of public pressure to get Republicans to hold such hearings.”
Democrats plan “shadow hearings”—forums without subpoena power relying on expert testimony and media coverage.
“This is why it’s important to take the house back,” Chu said. “Once we have the house back, we can officially call them and force them to actually appear.”
Sherman tied accountability to November midterms: “Nine months from now, this country will speak at the most important elections we’re ever going to hold.”
The reps emphasized that Renee Good and Pretti’s deaths should be unacceptable regardless of party.
“Americans across this country of both parties are saying this is not the America that we want,” Friedman said.
