The US House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, has said that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would be a priority for congressional investigation should Democrats take control of the House of Representatives in the midterm elections. Jeffries stated that Noem would be “one of the first people hauled up to Congress shortly after the gavels change hands.”
The anticipated inquiries would focus on the Department of Homeland Security’s troubling conduct and Noem’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies. The New York representative outlined several specific concerns, including a lack of respect for due process and the rule of law. He pointed to the use of masked agents against immigrant communities that are otherwise law-abiding.
The New York representative said on The Bulwark Podcast, “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.”
Kristi Noem will have to answer for her crimes if democrats take over Congress
Jeffries raised alarms about instances where individuals have reportedly been “disappeared” and sent to other countries. Jeffries clarified his position by saying that while he supports the deportation of immigrants who have been convicted of violent crimes, “but not law-abiding immigrant families, including in some instances, US citizen children who’ve been sent overseas to a place that they’ve never known”.
Since taking her position, Noem has supported mass deportation efforts by implementing workplace raids and using expedited removal procedures. Department of Homeland Security data released last week showed that approximately 1.6 million undocumented immigrants had left the US within her first 200 days. In addition, the department has announced a planned, taxpayer-funded public relations campaign, expected to cost between $20 million and $50 million USD, to be branded “Stronger Border, Stronger America.”
Lawmakers on the Democratic side have already started to prepare for potential investigations. In July, Representatives Summer Lee and Robert Garcia formally requested an explanation from the DHS regarding reports of agents using masks and unmarked vehicles during raids, describing the tactics as a means to intimidate immigrant families and prevent accountability for abuses. Jeffries has suggested that Representatives Bennie Thompson and Jamie Raskin would likely lead such inquiries if Democrats regain the House.
Beyond the Hill, Noem has faced scrutiny on several other issues in recent weeks. She drew criticism for moving into a rent-free residence at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, a move that DHS officials said was a necessary security measure due to threats. She has also been the subject of cultural satire, including a satirical portrayal on the show South Park, which she publicly condemned as “lazy” and “petty.”
