DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Faces Intensifying Impeachment Push Over Enforcement Operations and Conduct

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing an intensifying impeachment effort led by a growing coalition of Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives. The battle is now poised to shift towards a highly anticipated Senate trial, following the formal introduction of three articles of impeachment on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. This move has placed the Republican-led Senate under immense pressure to address allegations of ‘high crimes and misdemeanors’ related to recent enforcement operations and Noem’s conduct in office.

The push, spearheaded by Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL), follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis just last week. This tragic incident, which local officials described as a ‘reckless use of power,’ has become the galvanizing force behind a national debate over the administration’s ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ and its controversial deployment of militarized federal patrols in American cities. Rep. Kelly, the primary sponsor of the impeachment resolution, has starkly characterized Noem’s leadership as a ‘reign of terror,’ emphasizing that Congress and the American people are closely scrutinizing her actions, as reported by Filmogaz.

The Charges: Obstruction, Public Trust, and Self-Dealing

The resolution, H.Res. 996, meticulously outlines three specific charges against Secretary Noem, alleging a systematic failure to uphold her oath of office. These articles paint a picture of a department operating beyond its constitutional bounds and a Secretary seemingly indifferent to congressional oversight and public accountability.

• Obstruction of Congress: Noem stands accused of willfully violating public law by actively preventing members of Congress from entering DHS facilities for vital oversight purposes. Furthermore, she is alleged to have refused to comply with Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigations into federal funds that have been withheld. Representative Alma S. Adams (D-NC-12) highlighted a specific impact on her state, noting that Noem’s ‘unconstitutional withholding of Congressionally appropriated FEMA funds has resulted in the delay of billions of dollars of Hurricane Helene recovery to North Carolina, severely impacting recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.’ This allegation suggests a deliberate attempt to sidestep the legislative branch’s constitutional role.
• Violation of Public Trust: This article is perhaps the most emotionally charged, alleging that Noem oversaw widespread ‘warrantless arrests’ and authorized the use of excessive force against U.S. citizens. Lawmakers point to the ‘execution’ of a citizen in Chicago during federal law enforcement convoys and the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis as chilling examples. Rep. Kelly explicitly labeled the Minneapolis shooting as ‘murder.’ The charges extend to a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, late last year, which Congresswoman Adams stated ‘terrorized the community, leading to U.S. citizens being assaulted and arrested’ for practicing their constitutional rights. Critics argue that ICE, under Noem’s leadership, has morphed into a ‘secret police force,’ a sentiment echoed by Rep. John Larson (D-CT), the first Connecticut delegate to sign onto the impeachment effort.
• Self-Dealing: The third article delves into financial impropriety. Lawmakers point to a substantial $200 million (£157 million) ICE recruitment contract that was allegedly awarded to a firm run by the husband of a senior DHS official. Crucially, this contract was reportedly granted without the customary bidding process, raising serious questions about transparency, ethics, and potential conflicts of interest within the Department of Homeland Security.

A Growing Coalition Faces Uphill Battle

While the effort to impeach Secretary Noem remains largely symbolic in a Republican-controlled Congress, the list of supporters has swelled to nearly 70 Democratic members. Representative Kelly confirmed that this number continues to rise as the party’s base demands accountability for what they perceive as ‘lawlessness’ under Noem’s watch. Beyond Kelly, other key supporters include Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC), who has called Noem a ‘disaster’ for her state, and Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC), a co-signer citing civil rights violations during immigration raids. Colorado Delegates Representatives Diana DeGette and Brittany Pettersen have also formally backed the articles, with Colorado Politics confirming their support.

Despite this growing momentum in the House, the impeachment faces a steep climb in the Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required for conviction. Republican leaders, including Senator John Thune (R-SD), have been quick to dismiss the effort as ‘anti-Trump hysteria,’ signaling a firm stance against the proceedings. However, the political landscape is not entirely monolithic; some moderate Republicans are reportedly weighing the merits of the evidence, with Senator Todd Young (R-IN) notably stating he is ‘giving it some thought.’ This suggests a crack in the unified Republican front, however small.

Noem’s Defiance and Political Stakes

In response to the escalating calls for her removal, Secretary Noem has remained defiant. She has publicly defended federal enforcement actions, including the controversial ICE shooting in Minneapolis, insisting that the agent acted in self-defense and that federal law enforcement will remain deployed. She has dismissed local criticism, including that from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and reportedly slammed her critics. A DHS spokesperson echoed this sentiment, dismissing the charges as mere ‘showmanship’ and ‘fundraising clicks,’ while also criticizing Rep. Kelly for focusing on ‘political theatrics’ amid a reported 1,300% increase in assaults on ICE officers, according to Filmogaz.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, while describing Noem as ‘completely and totally unqualified,’ has stopped short of an official endorsement of the impeachment resolution, questioning if it is the ‘best way’ to achieve accountability. This cautious approach from the minority leader highlights the internal strategic considerations within the Democratic party, weighing the political capital and likelihood of success against other avenues for oversight.

As the January 30 deadline for federal funding approaches, the Noem impeachment is expected to become a central bargaining chip in broader budget negotiations. This intertwining of impeachment and appropriations battles could further complicate an already contentious political season. For now, Secretary Noem remains in office, steadfast in her defense of her department’s actions.

The intensifying impeachment effort against Secretary Noem, even if unlikely to result in a Senate conviction, serves as a potent political maneuver. It not only forces a public reckoning with the administration’s controversial enforcement policies and alleged abuses of power but also acts as a critical mechanism for accountability and oversight, pushing core constitutional questions into the national spotlight and shaping the discourse around executive authority in a deeply divided Congress.