Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday defended her response to the killing of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents over the weekend, claiming that the Trump administration was “using the best information we had at the time,” while conceding that “we can always do better.” (Watch video below.)
Noem was sidelined by President Donald Trump after her claims that Pretti sought to “kill law enforcement” and that he was “brandishing a gun” were directly undercut by eyewitness video of the shooting, prompting uproar nationwide, including criticism from Republican lawmakers.
In her first interview since Saturday, Noem told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that her assessment was based on early accounts from people on the ground.
“Well, Sean, I know you realize that that situation was very chaotic and that we were being relayed information from on the ground, from [Customs and Border Protection] agents and officers that were there. We were using the best information we had at the time, seeking to be transparent with the American people,” she said.
Noem added that the FBI will be leading a probe into Pretti’s killing.
