Tillis calls for Noem to be replaced

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis joined a growing chorus of Republicans calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or be fired.

Why it matters: It's a rare break by congressional Republicans with President Trump over a Cabinet official, and comes after federal officers shot and killed two U.S. citizens this month in Minneapolis.

What they're saying: Tillis, who voted to confirm Noem, said "she should be out of a job."

• "The execution is horrible. I have no problem with the deportations, but this is clearly a flawed and deadly" approach, he added.

Zoom out: Sen. Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, also said Noem should step down, Axios' Hans Nichols writes.

The latest: Trump has stood by Noem and called Tillis and Murkowski "losers."

• "I am thrilled about that. That makes me qualified to be Homeland Security secretary and senior adviser to the president," Tillis responded on CNN.

Between the lines: Tillis has become more outspoken in his criticism of the Trump administration since announcing he would not seek re-election.

• He previously had sharp criticism for Trump adviser Stephen Miller over statements he made about plans to take control of Greenland.

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