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An Illinois Democrat in Congress has formally requested an investigation into Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, alleging misconduct, improper use of federal resources, and ethical breaches in her administration of the Department of Homeland Security.
On Thursday, December 11, Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee requesting an investigation into Secretary Kristi Noem, calling her actions at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “potentially impeachable.” Ramirez charges that Noem has repeatedly broken the law, misused taxpayer funds, and misled both Congress and the public. In her letter to the Judiciary Committee, she further states that Noem has “disregard[ed] the rule of law” and engaged in conduct that “violate[s] her oath of office.”
The request highlights several accusations, including a $200 million DHS public relations effort funded by taxpayers. This campaign allegedly involved vendors connected personally to Noem and senior agency officials. Additionally, the congresswoman criticized Noem for authorizing a partisan video played in airports during the government shutdown beginning October 1, claiming it breached the Hatch Act. Another point of contention is the purchase of two Gulfstream jets for $172 million under Noem’s leadership.
Further allegations from the congresswoman include claims that Noem has made numerous misleading public statements. These statements allegedly downplay the detention of U.S. citizens by ICE and misrepresent the deportation case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. She also accuses DHS under Noem of using excessive force, such as deploying chemical agents contrary to court orders. In one instance, it’s claimed that DHS agents used these tactics in Chicago despite a federal judge’s prohibition.
During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Ramirez addressed Noem directly: “Your options are limited. Either you’re going to resign, Trump’s going to fire you, or you will be impeached.” She accused Noem of lying “with impunity,” rejecting the system of checks and balances, and ignoring oversight from both Congress and the courts. “You have misused resources appropriated by Congress. You’ve engaged in unethical behavior,” Ramirez remarked during the hearing, adding, “I’ve already called for your resignation. You may remember, I hand delivered my request to you back in May.”
In a social media post, the congresswoman shared the letter and a video of the hearing, stating, “Yes, I’m taking the first step towards Noem’s impeachment” and “The people will have accountability.”
This situation unfolds as Secretary Noem, a former governor, has led an assertive approach to immigration enforcement. During her tenure, the DHS has reported a “record-breaking” 2.5 million undocumented immigrants leaving the U.S. since Trump’s second term started. This includes over 600,000 deportations executed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and nearly two million individuals who self-deported. Furthermore, DHS has promoted the “CBP Home” mobile app, which offers stipends and flights to aid in removals.
Noem has recently garnered national attention for her proposed travel bans, targeting countries she described as sending “killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies” into the United States. She said she had recommended a “full travel ban on every damn country” that posed such a threat. President Trump has publicly reaffirmed his support for Noem, stating he is “so happy with her,” and calling her leadership at the border “fantastic.”
While impeachment efforts against cabinet members have been rare in modern history, they have become more frequent under the current administration. Ramirez’s move mirrors similar recent actions by fellow Democrats Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), who filed articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI), who has sought the impeachment of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over concerns stemming from a fatal military operation involving suspected narcotics-trafficking vessels.
Ramirez has long been a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and DHS leadership. In prior statements, she has referred to ICE as a “terrorist organization,” accused DHS of “facilitating the disappearance of our neighbors,” and declared herself “a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American.”
