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Kristi Noem Impeachment Update: Congresswoman Touts Nationwide Support
Kristi Noem Impeachment Update: Congresswoman Touts Nationwide Support
Source: Newsweek
Representative Robin Kelly, the Illinois Democrat leading an effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, said in a social media post on Wednesday that the push had drawn support from people across the country.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek on Thursday: "DHS is a law enforcement agency—enforcing the rule of law passed by Congress. If members don't like the law, it is quite literally their job to change it."
Why It Matters
Democrats' calls to impeach Noem intensified this month after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7. Kelly formally introduced the articles the following week, and about 100 colleagues have signed on as co-sponsors.
In 2024, House Republicans impeached then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by a narrow vote. The effort was dismissed in the Senate, so he was not removed from office.
Though Noem's removal is likewise unlikely, given Republicans' slim majorities in Congress, the impeachment push highlights growing concerns over the administration's handling of immigration affairs. Some Democrats have also called for President Donald Trump's removal from office, through impeachment or by urging his Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment.
What to Know
Kelly introduced the impeachment articles against Noem for "high crimes and misdemeanors" on January 14. The three articles of impeachment against Noem accuse her of obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust and self-dealing.
They allege that Noem blocked congressional oversight of ICE and DHS facilities, as well as directing ICE to "make widespread warrantless arrests, forgo due process, and use violence against United States citizens, lawful residents, and other individuals." The third article alleges that she is "using her position to circumvent the Federal contracting process and funneling Federal funds to her friends' businesses."
On Monday, Kelly said in a news release that 100 House members had signed on to her resolution. Her office told Newsweek on Thursday that the number had since grown to 109 co-sponsors. There are 213 Democrats in the House, so with 109 co-sponsors, more than half the caucus has signed on to the resolution. The House needs a simple majority for impeachment, while the Senate requires a two-thirds majority.
In a Wednesday post on X, the congresswoman reiterated the support from across the country, writing, "From New York to Hawaii, the message is loud and clear: Americans have had enough of ICE and Secretary Noem."
A recent Emerson College Polling survey of 1,000 likely voters found that Noem had one of the lowest net favorability ratings among several Cabinet members, at -7. Forty-five percent of likely voters viewed her unfavorably, while 38 percent held a favorable view of her. The poll, conducted between January 17 and 19, had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
A Noem impeachment petition backed by the Democratic Coalition had about 29,000 signatures at the time of writing.
What People Are Saying
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a Thursday email: "As ICE officers are facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults against them, politicians are more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually removing criminals from our streets. We hope these members get serious about doing their job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem."
Democratic Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota previously told Newsweek: "DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is out of control and is not following the law. She's not following the law. Her agents aren't following the law as they are, you know, detaining immigrants in our community, detaining U.S. citizens in our community and not following the law in allowing duly elected members of Congress to perform our congressional oversight jobs here in Minnesota."
Democratic Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois said in a news release: "Secretary Noem and her rogue agency have caused destruction and devastation across the country. One hundred House Democrats from California to New York, Minnesota to Texas support my impeachment resolution because our communities have seen ICE's Gestapo-like tactics firsthand. As Secretary Noem continues to lie, obstruct Congress, and violate people's civil rights, the support for her impeachment only grows. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to be on the right side of the law and our Constitution."
Democratic Representative John Garamendi of California said in a January 21 news release: "No one—not the President, not federal agents, and no government official—is above the law. Kristi Noem has lied to Congress, violated citizens' constitutional rights, and abused taxpayer dollars by currying favor with her billionaire donor friends. While Noem's corruption alone would have been sufficient grounds for impeachment, her leadership in turning CBP and ICE into rogue agencies that terrorize communities, undocumented and U.S. citizens alike, requires immediate and decisive action."
Democratic Representative Lois Frankel of Florida wrote on X on Thursday: "I signed onto the House resolution to impeach Kristi Noem. What ICE is doing on the streets of America is an abomination. Secretary Noem's abuses of power and ICE's due process violations demand accountability."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the House resolution will achieve the simple majority needed to pass.
By Mandy Taheri