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Several House Republicans are criticizing Democratic efforts to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, characterizing the move as a partisan political maneuver rather than a substantive effort to address governmental misconduct.
The impeachment resolution, introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly on January 14, has garnered support from 146 of the 213 House Democrats. However, Republican lawmakers claim there has been no outreach from Democrats to build bipartisan support for the measure, suggesting it lacks the cross-aisle collaboration typically needed for such significant congressional action.
Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), who previously introduced articles of impeachment against former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in 2023, drew a sharp contrast between the two situations. “Mayorkas presided over an open border and the worst human trafficking crisis in modern history, during which 11 million illegal aliens entered our country,” Fallon told Fox News Digital. “Secretary Noem, by contrast, has actually done the job she was appointed to carry out.”
Fallon pointed to what he described as record low border crossings during the early months of the Trump administration as evidence of Noem’s effectiveness, arguing that while “Mayorkas willingly chose to leave our border open, despite his two-faced rhetoric under oath,” Noem is “doing her job at DHS.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Arizona), who co-introduced the Mayorkas impeachment articles with Fallon, similarly dismissed the Democratic effort against Noem. “What Democrats are pushing now is something entirely different,” Biggs said, characterizing the resolution as “a partisan stunt with no factual or constitutional basis” that Democrats couldn’t even fully unify their own caucus behind.
Unlike the Democrats’ current effort against Noem, Republicans successfully impeached Mayorkas in February 2024 by a narrow 214-213 vote in the House. The effort to convict Mayorkas ultimately failed in the Senate, which at the time had a Democratic majority, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for removal from office.
With Republicans now controlling both chambers of Congress, Democratic efforts to impeach Noem face significant obstacles. Fallon described the current resolution as “a messaging exercise aimed at catering to Democrats’ increasingly far-left base.” President Donald Trump has already indicated that Noem will not step down from her position.
The impeachment articles were introduced before two controversial incidents involving federal agents in Minneapolis. On January 24, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old VA ICU nurse, was killed after what Secretary Noem described as a situation where Pretti “violently resisted” arrest, leading a Border Patrol agent to fire his weapon while “fearing for his life.”
In a separate incident on January 14, Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation. According to DHS, Good attempted to block agents with her vehicle and accelerated toward an officer, who then drew his weapon and fired four shots, one of which struck Good in the head. DHS later stated the officer acted in self-defense and suffered internal bleeding after being struck by Good’s vehicle.
Both incidents sparked protests in Minneapolis, with demonstrators establishing barricades and directing traffic in scenes reminiscent of the unrest following George Floyd’s death. The situation prompted President Trump to speak with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, asking him to work cooperatively with federal immigration authorities.
Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) characterized the impeachment effort as “one of those witch hunts” and “another example of the Democrats showing their hypocrisy.” Hunt contrasted the current situation with the Obama administration’s deportation policies, claiming former President Obama “deported far more people than President Trump has in both of his presidencies combined.”
As tensions continue over immigration enforcement nationwide, the partisan divide over Noem’s leadership at DHS appears likely to intensify, with little prospect of the impeachment resolution advancing in the Republican-controlled Congress.
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8 Comments
This seems like a highly partisan political move rather than a serious effort to address misconduct. Without bipartisan support, it’s unlikely to gain traction or be seen as credible by the public.
I agree, the lack of bipartisan cooperation makes this resolution appear more like political grandstanding than a substantive process.
Without more details, it’s hard to say if the impeachment allegations against Noem are justified. I hope both sides can work to find common ground and address any valid concerns in a constructive manner.
The failure to gain bipartisan support for this resolution raises questions about its legitimacy and chances of success. Impeachment is a serious matter that requires broad consensus, not partisan divisions.
Agreed, impeachment should not be pursued without genuine bipartisan cooperation and a clear case of wrongdoing. Partisan politics should not override due process.
It’s interesting to see the contrast drawn between the Noem and Mayorkas situations. The differing perspectives on their records and the border issues will likely shape how this plays out.
You make a fair point. The differing views on their tenures and the border situation will be key factors in this political debate.
It’s disappointing to see this issue becoming so polarized along party lines. I hope the lawmakers can put aside their differences and focus on the facts and merits of the case, rather than political maneuvering.