The draft resolution to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, initiated by Representative Robin Kelly, a Democrat from Illinois, early this month, now has 140 co-sponsors, representing two-thirds of the Democrats in the House of Representatives.
Many lawmakers signed onto the resolution over the weekend, particularly after a Democratic caucus meeting on 25/1. Some openly called for Secretary Noem to take responsibility for the recent incidents where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this month.
The call for Noem's impeachment or resignation is gaining broad support within the House Democratic caucus. The list of co-sponsors includes lawmakers from "swing" districts, which often fluctuate between Democratic and Republican control, such as Laura Gillen from New York and Greg Landsman from Ohio. Influential Democratic lawmakers like Debbie Dingell from Michigan and Suzan DelBene from Washington also support impeaching Noem.
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U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Las Vegas on 22/11/2025. Photo: AP |
Despite this, some senior Democratic members advocate for the White House to remove Noem from office, without mentioning impeachment as an option.
Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated on social media that Noem "needs to be fired". A group of 15 Democratic lawmakers, all military veterans, urged President Donald Trump's administration to "immediately stop" domestic immigration enforcement operations by ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
They also demanded Secretary Noem's resignation, arguing that the current leadership of the Department of Homeland Security "fails to protect civil liberties, ensure accountability, and maintain public trust."
The impetus for the impeachment effort against Noem is the death of Alex Pretti, a nurse at the Veterans Medical Center in Minneapolis, who was fatally shot by an agent during an ICE and CBP immigration enforcement raid on 24/1, according to Fox.
Representative Kelly's impeachment resolution is primarily symbolic at this time, as Republicans, who hold a majority in both chambers of Congress, are expected to reject it. Democrats are unlikely to secure enough Republican votes to pass the resolution in the House, and it would be even harder to reach the 60-vote threshold in the Senate required to impeach and remove Noem.
However, the resolution could set the stage for Democrats to investigate and impeach the Homeland Security Secretary if they reverse the situation and gain control of both chambers of Congress in the november midterm elections.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated it is simply enforcing laws passed by Congress. "If some lawmakers do not like the laws we are enforcing, their job is to adjust the laws," emphasized spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
She also criticized politicians for endangering law enforcement with inflammatory messages, which she claimed led to a 1,300% increase in attacks targeting ICE members. "Now is the time for them to focus on protecting the American people. The Department of Homeland Security is performing this duty daily, under Secretary Noem's leadership."
Thanh Danh (According to Politico, NBC, Fox)
