WATCH: Democrats threaten impeachment as two GOP senators call on Noem to resign
House Democratic leaders warned Tuesday they will move to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem if President Donald Trump does not remove her from office. The threat escalated hours later as two Republican senators — Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — became the first GOP lawmakers in Congress to publicly call for Noem’s resignation, even as Trump said he would not fire her.
The standoff follows two fatal immigration enforcement officer-involved shootings in Minneapolis this month and escalating criticism of the Department of Homeland Security’s response.
Democrats issue ultimatum to White House
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats will “commence impeachment proceedings” if Noem remains in her post. The warning was issued jointly with Democratic Rep. Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar.
In a post on X along with the statement, Jeffries wrote, “Donald Trump must fire Kristi Noem immediately. Or Democrats will initiate impeachment proceedings against her in the House. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
The statement marks a shift for Democratic leadership, which had spent weeks deflecting questions about impeachment. The effort gained momentum after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents over the weekend, following the earlier killing of Renée Good by an ICE officer.
Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly introduced articles of impeachment against Noem on Jan. 14. So far, more than 140 of the 213 House Democrats have since signed on, according to CBS News.
Trump defends Noem as pressure builds
Trump dismissed calls for Noem’s removal during an exchange with reporters Tuesday.
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President Trump’s former Homeland Security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigned in 2019 amid criticism from Trump over border security.
When asked whether Noem is going to step down, Trump replied flatly, “No.”
Asked again if he’s talking to Noem, Trump said, “I am, yeah. I think she’s doing a very good job.”
The White House has sought to distance the president from DHS messaging surrounding the Minneapolis shootings, while continuing to defend the department’s enforcement posture.
“If Democrats cared this much about deporting violent, criminal illegal aliens, the American people would be much safer,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Axios.
CBS News previously reported that Noem is facing internal scrutiny within the administration but is expected to retain her job. Sources told the outlet that Noem was at the White House on Monday and fielded questions about the department’s handling of the shootings, a meeting The New York Times also confirmed.
Senate Democrats escalate funding threat
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer intensified the criticism Tuesday, calling Noem “a liar,” “vicious,” and “incompetent” in floor remarks. Schumer said Democrats will block a government funding package that includes DHS funding ahead of Friday’s shutdown deadline, raising the risk pf a partial shutdown.
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“Donald Trump must fire her at once before another American is killed under her watch,” Schumer said.
Schumer urged Republicans to strip Homeland Security funding from the broader bill, arguing the Senate should not vote on legislation “that everyone knows cannot pass.”
Republican leaders rejected impeachment calls. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the death of Alex Pretti was a tragedy and called for a full and impartial investigation, while praising Trump’s decision to send border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis.
Two Republican senators call for Noem to resign
The pressure on Noem widened Tuesday when Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska publicly called for her resignation, marking the first time Republican members of Congress have broken with Trump over her leadership at DHS.
Asked on Capitol Hill whether he had confidence in Noem, Tillis said, “No, not at all. I think she should go.” He criticized what he described as “amateurish” decision-making and said he could not identify “any point of pride” in her tenure.
Murkowski was similarly blunt, telling NBC News that Noem “should go” and should not be running the department.
Neither senator called for impeachment, and both stopped short of signaling support for removing Noem through congressional action.
Impeachment faces steep odds
Even with growing Democratic support — and rare Republican calls for Noem’s resignation — impeachment still faces steep odds.
Republicans control both chambers of Congress. In the House, impeachment would require a simple majority, meaning Democrats would need at least three Republican votes. No House Republicans have publicly backed removing Noem.
Conviction in the Senate would require a two-thirds vote, a threshold that remains out of reach.
Still, senior Democrats say the department’s actions demand accountability. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, called on Chairman Jim Jordan to begin impeachment proceedings. Raskin said that if Republicans refuse, Democrats will launch a broader oversight and impeachment inquiry through multiple committees.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
