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Democrats are intensifying calls for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment following two recent shootings involving federal immigration agents. The fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis by an ICE officer Wednesday, followed by injuries to two people in Oregon by a Border Patrol agent Thursday, has prompted lawmakers to accuse Noem of fostering a confrontational culture within immigration enforcement agencies.
Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois announced plans to file articles of impeachment charging Noem with obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and self-dealing. Representative Bradley Schneider, also from Illinois, stated that Noem has “abjectly failed” in her responsibility to set standards and oversight for ICE operations. Representative John Larson of Connecticut called for her resignation after she labeled Good a domestic terrorist, which he characterized as lying to Americans.
The Department of Homeland Security dismissed the impeachment threats as “silly during a serious time,” pointing to a 1,300% increase in assaults against ICE officers. The department accused Kelly of prioritizing “showmanship and fundraising clicks” over addressing crime in her Chicago district, stating that Noem is focused on protecting the American people.
While Democrats lack the House majority needed to advance impeachment proceedings, the issue could become a campaign focal point before November’s midterm elections. If Democrats regain control, impeachment could become viable.
Noem, a former House member and South Dakota governor, has been a visible presence in the administration’s immigration initiatives. She visited Minneapolis Tuesday, the day before Good’s shooting, to discuss the surge of immigration officers. On the day of the shooting, she was in Brownsville, Texas, announcing border barrier actions before returning to Minneapolis for an evening press conference. Thursday found her in New York highlighting enforcement efforts.
When asked Wednesday about the most challenging aspect of her position, Noem replied, “Nothing’s hard about this job,” adding that she loves solving problems and meeting challenges.
The homeland security secretary role has historically been difficult. During Trump’s first term, Kirstjen Nielsen was removed amid frustrations, and Chad Wolf’s acting appointment was later ruled illegal by federal judges. President Biden’s secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, became the first sitting Cabinet official impeached in 2024, though the Senate dismissed the charges without trial.
A September YouGov poll showed Noem with a 33% approval rating, 10 percentage points below her disapproval rating, ranking near the bottom among top Trump administration officials.
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