Topline
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem quarrelled with Democrats in an explosive House hearing Thursday as her agency comes under fire for aggressive deportation tactics.
United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks to the press before a House Homeland Security Committee hearing in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, United States on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Anadolu via Getty Images
Key Facts
Noem faced several calls for her resignation, including at the start of the hearing from Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and later from Reps. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich. And Delia C. Ramirez, D-Ill.
She also clashed with Thompson over the recent shooting of two members of the National Guard when he pointed out that Homeland Security, under Noem’s leadership, granted the suspect, 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, asylum, to which Noem replied that vetting happened during the Biden administration.
Noem also protested Thompson’s description of the shooting as an “unfortunate accident,” interrupting him to say, “You think that was an unfortunate accident? That was a terrorist attack,” to which Thompson replied, “it was an unfortunate situation.”
In another heated moment, Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-RI, confronted Noem via Zoom with an Army veteran who was allegedly deported to Korea, moments after she denied Homeland Security deported any veterans.
Thompson also called Noem a “liar” for saying she had to leave the hearing early to attend a Federal Emergency Management Agency Council meeting, telling The Hill he heard the meeting was cancelled.
Tangent
Trump dismissed a report that he’s considering replacing Noem, telling reporters Wednesday “I read a story recently that I’m unhappy with Kristi—I’m so happy with her . . . we have a border that’s the best border in the history of our country. Why would I be unhappy? She’s fantastic, actually.” Trump’s comments came after MS Now reported Monday Trump is considering replacing her as early as January, citing three unnamed sources who cited Noem’s handling of FEMA funds and the pace of construction of new detention centers.