WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday on social media that body cameras are being deployed to all officers in Minneapolis, amid public criticism and anger after two fatal shootings by federal law enforcement.
"Effective immediately we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis," Noem wrote on X.
"As funding is available, the body camera program will be expanded nationwide. We will rapidly acquire and deploy body cameras to DHS law enforcement across the country," she said.
Noem has faced mounting pressure in recent days following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by law enforcement officers in Minneapolis. The backlash has focused on her comments describing the victims as having committed "an act of domestic terrorism," a claim not supported by video evidence.
U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that Noem will not step down, even as Democrats threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against her.
The two fatal shootings have prompted Democrats to seek changes to how immigration agencies operate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recently outlined Democrats' demands, including ending roving patrols, tightening warrant rules, imposing an enforceable code of conduct that holds federal agents to the same use-of-force standards as local law enforcement, and implementing a "masks off, body cameras on" policy for federal agents. ■