During a recent appearance before Congress, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense scrutiny that quickly escalated into heated interactions, complaints, and contentious claims. At the House Homeland Security’s “Global Threats to the Homeland” hearing, lawmakers from both parties challenged Noem on various issues, from her approach to illegal immigration to the dangers posed by domestic weaponized drones.
Though Noem departed the hearing early for a FEMA meeting, several notable exchanges took place.
Calls for Noem’s Resignation Grow
The session opened with Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, pushing for Noem’s resignation, accusing her of multiple violations of U.S. law. “Instead of wasting everyone’s time with corruption and lies, we urge you to resign. It would truly serve your country,” Thompson insisted.
He pointed to the government’s efforts to deport illegal immigrants to El Salvador against court orders, withholding federal funds to coerce U.S. cities into aiding immigration enforcement, and detaining American citizens as examples of Noem’s alleged misconduct. It’s worth noting that many of the instances Thompson cited have previously gone through legal scrutiny.
Noem Acknowledges Drone Threat
When pressed about DHS efforts to address potential drone-related security threats, Noem admitted that the U.S. hasn’t caught up. “Frankly, the authorities have not caught up with this,” she stated. She mentioned that DHS plans to collaborate with state and local officials, following new provisions in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “We expect to invest over $1.5 billion in drone technology and mitigation efforts in partnership with cities and states for events,” she added.
Noem emphasized the importance of tackling the drone threat, especially with major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Olympics on the horizon, saying, “We don’t just want to monitor; we need to mitigate. We need to shoot down these drones.”
Deportation Issues Raised
Democrats also recurrently questioned whether the Trump administration is adequately handling deportations. Rep. Seth Magaziner from Rhode Island presented the case of Park Se-joon, a military veteran who faced deportation. Park, a green card holder, struggled with substance abuse and was deported to South Korea despite previous leniency.
Noem promised to look into Park’s situation but reaffirmed that existing laws must be enforced.
Protests Disrupt Hearing
As Noem began her remarks, she was interrupted by protesters demanding an end to deportations. One dressed as a priest shouted, “Stop the deportations!” while carrying a cross. Two men were escorted out, since it’s unlawful to disrupt congressional hearings.
Unfazed, Noem continued her statement despite the disruption.
Noem Challenges Congress on Immigration Reform
In reply to concerns over deportations, Noem challenged Congress, asserting that lawmakers possess the authority to enact change. “It’s appalling to see people defending those who’ve broken the law,” she stated. “If you don’t like the law, change it. That’s your job.”
Recently, DHS reported that under Noem’s leadership, there’ve been 2.5 million deportations in the U.S.
