Democrats Push for Noem’s Impeachment: Here’s Why
House Democrats are pushing for impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This development follows a series of controversial incidents involving law enforcement and immigration agents.
Background on the Impeachment Threat
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York publicly urged President Donald Trump to dismiss Noem. He warned that if Trump fails to do so, Democrats will initiate impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives. Jeffries emphasized there are two ways to handle this situation: “the easy way or the hard way.”
Recent Incidents Prompting Action
- On January 7, 2026, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Renee Good, age 37, amid protests.
- On January 24, 2026, a Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti, age 37.
Noem referred to Pretti as a “domestic terrorist,” provoking public outrage. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed that Pretti intended to harm law enforcement. However, video evidence appears to contradict Noem’s statements. In a subsequent interview with Fox News, she defended her comments, stating they were based on the best information available at the time.
Implications for the GOP
Representative Michael Guest, a Republican from Mississippi and Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Border Security, stated that Jeffries’ impeachment threat was predictable. He noted that it echoes the actions Republicans took last year when they impeached former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
In February 2024, House Republicans accused Mayorkas of failing to secure the U.S. border during his tenure. The Democrat-controlled Senate did not convict him on those charges.
Republican Support for Noem
Despite the impeachment threat, many Republican lawmakers continue to support Noem as Homeland Security Secretary. Guest believes that as long as Noem maintains the backing of Trump and his administration, she will retain her position. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin echoed this sentiment, arguing that Congress should amend U.S. immigration laws if there are disagreements rather than attack the Secretary.
Views on Immigration Enforcement
There are differing opinions among GOP lawmakers regarding immigration enforcement strategies. Some have advocated for a more lenient approach, focusing on apprehending illegal aliens with criminal convictions. However, others argue for a broader scope of enforcement.
Guest suggests that finding common ground on these issues is crucial for cohesive action moving forward. He also mentioned that adjustments to the deployment of enforcement agents might be necessary, although they should remain dedicated to their mission.
