Noem defends Homeland Security Department in post-shooting appearances before Congress

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense scrutiny during two days of congressional hearings this week, her first appearance before lawmakers since immigration enforcement officers fatally shot two protesters in Minneapolis.

Democrats and several Republicans sharply criticized Noem over allegations that immigration officers under her authority have violated the rights of immigrants and U.S. citizens and used excessive force. Lawmakers also questioned her department’s spending practices and accused her of evading accountability.

Throughout the hearings, Noem defended her leadership of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, asserting that she has strengthened national security by reducing migration across the southern border. Most Republican lawmakers supported her position, portraying her as a leader addressing immigration issues they claim were neglected during President Joe Biden’s administration.

One of the most contentious moments came when Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland), the top Democrat on the House committee, confronted Noem about her characterization of the two protesters killed in Minneapolis, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, whom she had described as armed agitators.

“You told a lie about them. You said they were domestic terrorists,” Raskin stated, referring to accounts from bystanders and video evidence that contradicted Noem’s description of events.

Other Democrats questioned why Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers forcibly removed people from vehicles and, in one case, pulled an American citizen from his Minneapolis home while he was in his pajamas.

Criticism also came from within Noem’s own party. Senator Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), who is retiring, notably called her leadership a “disaster” during Tuesday’s session.

Noem consistently pushed back against these allegations, claiming Democrats had their facts wrong and defending her officers’ conduct. “We do targeted enforcement based on intelligence and go after the worst of the worst,” she stated, adding that her initial comments after the Minneapolis shootings relied on information from officers at the scene.

The congressional hearings also addressed allegations that Noem’s department has obstructed oversight investigations. A letter from Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, obtained by The Associated Press, claimed DHS leadership “systematically obstructed” his office’s work in 11 instances, including a criminal investigation connected to the department.

When Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Georgia) raised concerns about this “pattern of obstructing investigations,” Noem denied the accusation, stating that Cuffari had not specified what information he needed or provided a timeline for his requests. “He wants unfettered access to every single thing in the department. And that’s not the process,” she said.

The department’s spending practices also came under intense scrutiny. Congress allocated $170 billion to DHS, and lawmakers questioned how these funds were being utilized. Democrats specifically challenged a $220 million advertising campaign featuring Noem that encouraged undocumented immigrants to leave the country voluntarily.

Rep. Joe Neguse called the expenditure “fraud,” questioning whether contracts underwent competitive bidding and if Noem’s associates benefited improperly from the process. “You’re using millions of dollars of taxpayer money in this way,” Neguse said. “Ultimately I think there’s going to be accountability.” Noem maintained that all spending followed legal protocols.

Another contentious issue was DHS’s use of administrative warrants. Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported that federal officers were entering suspects’ homes without judge-approved warrants, a practice legal experts say violates constitutional rights. Noem defended these administrative warrants as “appropriate and legal,” claiming they were used in forcible entries only 28 times under her authority.

Even Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky expressed reservations about this practice, stating, “I’m a strong proponent of the Fourth Amendment, and I think it would be helpful if we stuck to that.”

The hearings took an unexpected turn when Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-California) inquired about Noem’s relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a special government employee serving as one of her top advisers. Lewandowski, Trump’s first campaign manager in 2016 and later a key Noem supporter, has been a constant presence alongside the secretary despite his position’s limits on workdays.

Kamlager-Dove suggested Lewandowski wielded “unchecked” and “unconfirmed” power before directly asking if Noem and Lewandowski were having an affair. Noem responded forcefully, calling the question “tabloid garbage” and denying the allegations. She emphasized that Lewandowski does not have decision-making authority within the department.

As congressional oversight continues, these hearings highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement policies and the management of one of the federal government’s largest departments during a politically charged election year.