In a bold move against the head of the Department of Homeland Security, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar has declared her support for the impeachment of Secretary Kristi Noem. Citing a series of grave allegations, Escobar's office released a statement denouncing the secretary's actions. According to the statement, Noem's tenure has been riddled with questionable tactics, including racial profiling by agents, excessive use of force, and the obstruction of congressional oversight, particularly concerning immigration detention facilities.
A troubling incident in Minneapolis, where an ICE agent fatally shot a mother of three, has dramatically escalated tensions. Escobar asserts that following this tragic event, Sec. Noem immediately defended the agent, misrepresented the facts, and maligned the victim. The statement, found on Congresswoman Escobar's official website, condemns these actions and notes that "eight people have been shot by DHS, 5 of whom were U.S. citizens, and two were killed."
Aside from these violent incidents, there are also concerns about the lack of transparency under Noem's leadership. Congresswoman Escobar mentions a pattern of denying members of Congress access to federally-funded immigration detention facilities, which blocks crucial oversight, particularly for those run by private companies. Furthermore, the agency has been accused of being uncooperative in responding to casework inquiries and of routinely ignoring Congress, aiming to shield its internal operations from public scrutiny.
Congresswoman Escobar statement also points to a broader culture of corruption and lack of accountability within DHS, claiming that on Noem's watch, "DHS violates court orders, fails to hold private contractors accountable." Additionally, under Secretary Noem, 32 people reportedly died in ICE detention during 2025. This was while she allegedly prioritized photo opportunities over addressing serious issues within her department. The statement from Congresswoman Escobar ends with a strong indictment: "Americans should not have to live in fear of their own government. I support the impeachment of Kristi Noem."
