House Democrats Pursue Impeachment Inquiry Against DHS Secretary

House Democrats from the Homeland Security Committee have reportedly been quietly pushing for an impeachment inquiry against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. This effort is seen as a last resort after their requests for transparency went largely unanswered, even as some Republicans have started to call for an independent investigation into immigration matters.

Since they lack committee control, these Democrats plan to hold “shadow hearings” to bolster their case against Noem, according to an insider familiar with their strategy.

So far, these shadow hearings have occurred twice, and other committees have conducted similar sessions. The Democrats are particularly scrutinizing Noem and the agency overseeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the death of Alex Preti, a 37-year-old man involved in a confrontation during a DHS operation in Minnesota. This incident marks another civilian fatality linked to law enforcement actions within a short time frame.

DHS officials have stated that agents involved acted in self-defense during the shooting. However, Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Texas), a member of the Homeland Security Committee, suggests that this explanation doesn’t fully address the broader issues at play.

“For months, we’ve been seeking answers—sending letters, calling for investigations, but it seems like these efforts have been thwarted by the Trump administration and dismissed by Congressional Republicans,” Johnson remarked regarding inquiries about ICE agents’ actions.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York underscored that Democrats will spearhead the impeachment initiative if President Trump does not remove Noem from her position.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Jeffries stated.

While Democrats remain focused on Noem, a growing faction of Republicans is also advocating for thorough investigations into ICE’s conduct.

The Homeland Security Committee has announced a scheduled hearing for February 10, during which ICE Director Todd Lyons, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, and other officials will provide testimony.

Rep. Michael Guest (R-Mississippi) expressed support for the investigations, noting their importance in delivering vital information to Congress and the public. He emphasized that trust in law enforcement agencies is essential.

“Public trust in our law enforcement agencies is critical to successful law enforcement, which is why I support the ongoing investigation into the Minneapolis shooting,” Guest added.

Some Republicans are also voicing alarm over the Minneapolis incident, which was widely recorded by witnesses. Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) urged that this situation requires closer examination, highlighting that his investigations found no evidence to support claims that Preti “brandished” a firearm.

Democrats like Johnson argue that the Republican concern is too little, too late. “It’s unfortunate that it took the deaths of multiple citizens for these calls for testimony to arise,” she stated. “Regardless of our minority status, we will keep exposing abuses of power while holding DHS accountable.”

Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), also a Homeland Security Committee member, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing Noem’s leadership failures and their consequences.

“Kristi Noem’s leadership has led to tragedies, including children being locked up and civil rights violations occurring daily,” Magaziner said.

He added, “We can enforce our immigration laws without chaos and incompetence. There needs to be a thorough investigation into Noem’s actions.”

In announcing the hearings for February, Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) expressed hope that the upcoming testimonies would help alleviate political tensions surrounding ICE and DHS conduct.

“Lowering tensions requires transparency and communication. We appreciate Secretary Noem and DHS for making these witnesses available and anticipate their testimonies,” Garbarino remarked.

Fox News Digital has sought comments from DHS regarding this ongoing situation.