House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would face congressional scrutiny if Democrats retake control of the House of Representatives.
Jeffries made the comments during an interview on The Bulwark Podcast, referencing a number of controversial actions led by Noem during her time in office:
"It's my expectation that Kristi Noem will be one of the first people hauled up to Congress shortly after the gavels change hands to get a real understanding for the American people as to this conduct that has taken place: The lack of respect for due process, for the rule of law, the unleashing of masked agents on law-abiding immigrant communities, and the disappearing of people in some instances, to other countries without any real evidence that criminal behavior took place"
"All of this is going to require aggressive Oversight activity," Jeffries added. He also said that while he supported deporting immigrants convicted of violent crimes, he rejected operations that led to families being separated and U.S. citizen children being sent abroad.
Speaking a week ago at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association breakfast in Springfield, Jeffries tied those oversight plans to Democrats' broader electoral message, as reported by Capitol News Illinois. "The first six months of the Trump administration have been a debacle," he told the audience, citing cuts to medical research, mass firings of federal workers, and reductions in social programs. "America is better than this. We're better than this."
Jeffries went on to argue that retaking the House in 2026 would allow Democrats to block President Trump's agenda, which he said favors wealthy donors at the expense of middle-class families. He described the party's platform as one centered on "rewarding hard work" with access to good jobs, housing, health care, education, and retirement.
To win back the majority, Democrats need a net gain of three seats. Jeffries acknowledged challenges including gerrymandered districts and low favorability ratings for the party but pointed to Trump's declining approval as a counterbalance. "Donald Trump is more unpopular at this period of time than any president in American history," he said.
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