Rep. Robin Kelly files articles of impeachment against Sec. Kristi Noem

Jan

2026

In the News

Rep. Robin Kelly files articles of impeachment against Sec. Kristi Noem

Rep. Robin Kelly has followed through on a pledge to introduce articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

During a Capitol Hill press conference Wednesday, Kelly, who is currently running for U.S. Senate in Illinois, said she has support from numerous Democrats, with the move coming amid increasing scrutiny of the department’s immigration enforcement efforts.

“Secretary Noem has brought her reign of terror to the Chicagoland area, L.A., New Orleans, Charlotte, Durham, and communities north to south to east to west,” Kelly said during the press conference. “She needs to be held accountable for her actions.”

A growing number of Democrats are calling for Noem’s impeachment in the wake of the killing of a Minnesota woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, though the effort stands little chance in a Republican-controlled House and Senate.

Kelly said in a press conference Wednesday announcing her resolution that “real people are being hurt and killed” from ICE enforcement actions. She was joined by 10 other Democrats at the event who voiced frustration and anger with the Trump administration’s deportation efforts – many focused on their districts.

“If we do nothing, nothing will happen,” Kelly said.

It’s unclear when Kelly may seek to force a vote on her resolution.

Rep. Angie Craig, who represents a swing district in Minnesota, said ICE actions “have crossed a line.”

“Minnesotans, we want safe and secure borders. We want violent criminals to not be in our country. But this is not what we signed up for.”

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson dismissed the filing as “silly,” and accused Kelly of engaging in political grandstanding.

“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 statement read, according to The Hill.

Kelly had announced last week her intent to file the articles of impeachment against Noem. Among the three articles was an accusation of obstruction of Congress, alleging the secretary “willfully obstructed Congressional oversight and withheld Congressionally appropriated funds in violation of her constitutional oath and federal law.”

She also accused Noem of violating public trust by “violating due process of American citizens,” and of self-dealing, alleging she had “abused her office for personal benefit and steered federal dollars to associates.”

According to reporting by Pro Publica, Noem’s DHS steered ad dollars toward a consulting firm “with long-standing personal and business ties to Noem and her senior aides at DHS.”

Noem also was subject to criticism after she authorized the purchase of two private Gulfstream G700 private jets during the recent government shutdown, according to Democrats on the House Oversight Committee.

Noem defended the expenditures, saying they were authorized by Congress.

“These aircraft are Coast Guard aircraft to replace 25-year-old airplanes that are necessary for the mission of the Coast Guard. Congress appropriated the dollars and paid for them in the ‘big, beautiful bill,’ and we’re grateful that we’re able to move forward,” she said during a press conference.

By NBC Chicago Staff