A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described Democratic efforts to impeach the agency’s leader, Secretary Kristi Noem, as “silly” in a statement to Newsweek.
On Wednesday, Democratic Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois announced plans to push for Noem’s impeachment, citing her oversight of ICE operations in the aftermath of a deadly shooting by a federal agent in Minnesota this week.
“Secretary Kristi Noem is an incompetent leader, a disgrace to our democracy, and I am impeaching her,” Kelly said in a press release.
Why It Matters
The shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good at the hands of a federal agent identified as Jonathan E. Ross in Minneapolis on January 7 has sparked outrage from many over the conduct of ICE agents.
However, the Democratic impeachment effort is unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled House and would face an even tougher path to success in the GOP-controlled Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for conviction.
What to Know
DHS dismissed the effort led by Kelly.
“How silly during a serious time. As ICE officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, Rep. Kelly is more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually cleaning up her crime-ridden Chicago district,” the spokesperson told Newsweek.
“We hope she would get serious about doing her job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem,” the spokesperson said.
After Kelly announced the plan on Wednesday, fellow Illinois Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi quickly said he’d back the impeachment effort. Representative Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat, has since joined as a cosponsor of Kelly’s impeachment articles as well.
In a press release, Kelly’s office said that the three articles of impeachment would allege Noem “abused her office for personal benefit and steered federal dollars to associates,” “willfully obstructed Congressional oversight and withheld Congressionally appropriated funds in violation of her constitutional oath and federal law” and “compromised public safety, violated due process of American citizens, and directed unconstitutional actions.”
Kristi Noem Previously Faced Impeachment Ultimatum
Representative Delia Ramirez, also an Illinois Democrat, demanded in December that Noem either resign or face impeachment.
Ramirez requested that House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, conduct an investigation into Noem’s leadership of DHS.
“Under Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has done irreversible harm to our constituents, trampling the rights of all people and disregarding the rule of law,” Ramirez said in a letter to lawmakers.
Ramirez accused Noem of misleading Congress and the public, misusing congressionally appropriated resources, and disregarding court orders and legislative oversight. She pointed to reports that more than 170 U.S. citizens have been detained by immigration agents, contradicting Noem’s claims that enforcement targets only those in the country illegally.
What People Are Saying
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in a statement given to Newsweek about Good’s killing: “Before all the facts were even known, Secretary Noem was already accusing the victim of domestic terrorism. The preliminary video evidence tells a very different story, one where deadly violence could easily have been avoided.”
Alex Bores, a Democratic New York State Assembly member, on X: “I said what I said. Impeach Kristi Noem. Sec. Noem can try to silence criticism, but she cannot erase reality or lie her way out of responsibility. When an ICE agent shoots a mother at point-blank range, responsibility doesn’t stop with the person who pulled the trigger. This administration’s policies and rhetoric caused Renee Good’s death.”
Vice President JD Vance on X after Good’s killing: “I want every ICE officer to know that their president, vice president, and the entire administration stands behind them. To the radicals assaulting them, doxxing them, and threatening them: congratulations, we’re going to work even harder to enforce the law.”
What Happens Next
It’s unclear when and how the articles of impeachment will proceed in the House; however, they are unlikely to pass given the current dynamics of the legislative body. Protests against ICE and the Trump administration are expected to continue in Minnesota and across the country.
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