At DHS hearing, Thompson urges Noem to resign; Noem rebukes 'unfortunate accident' remark as protesters removed
At a combative House Homeland Security hearing, Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson publicly called on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, accusing her of dismantling the department and diverting resources to an extreme immigration agenda while lawmakers pressed her on funding cuts, deportations and an investigation into migrant flights to El Salvador. The proceedings featured heated exchanges — Noem rebuked Thompson’s characterization of a West Virginia National Guard shooting as an “unfortunate accident,” calling it a terrorist attack; protesters chanting anti‑ICE slogans were escorted out; and members raised cases including a deported Purple Heart veteran as well as national security and vetting concerns.
📌 Key Facts
- The House Homeland Security Committee held a DHS hearing on Dec. 11 (opening at 10 a.m. EST) where DHS Secretary Kristi Noem testified on global security threats; it was her first appearance before Congress since May.
- Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson used his opening statement to call on Noem to resign—accusing her of dismantling DHS, diverting "vast resources" to President Trump’s immigration agenda and failing to respond to congressional oversight—saying, “I call on you to resign. Do a real service to the country.”
- Multiple protesters disrupted Noem’s opening remarks chanting anti‑ICE messages; one, dressed as a priest carrying a crucifix, shouted “End deportations!” and “The power of Christ compels you!” before being escorted out by Capitol Police and detained.
- An exchange during the hearing saw Thompson refer to the West Virginia National Guard shooting as an “unfortunate accident,” prompting Noem to call it a “terrorist attack”; the back-and-forth included debate over the asylum/vetting status of an individual (Lakanwal), with Thompson warning Noem about potential perjury if her statements were false and Noem saying vetting processes were set under prior programs and SIV standards were not followed.
- Noem defended DHS in prepared remarks, saying the department is working to eradicate transnational organized crime, stop drug flows, end illegal immigration, defend against cyberattacks and is using every tool to secure major 2026 events such as the World Cup and the nation’s 250th birthday.
- Congress earlier this year provided roughly $165 billion for DHS, including funds to hire 10,000 more deportation officers, complete sections of the border wall and expand detention and removals; DHS also reports more than two million deportations under the current administration, and a federal judge is reportedly investigating whether Noem should face contempt over flights carrying migrants to El Salvador.
- Democrats at the hearing pressed Noem on alleged improper removals and citizen detentions—DHS says agents do not target U.S. citizens but acknowledged arrests of Americans for interfering in operations—Rep. Dan Goldman raised concerns about deporting migrants with pending asylum claims, and Rep. Seth Magaziner confronted Noem on a deported U.S. military veteran (via live video); Noem said she would review several highlighted cases.
- Lawmakers also sparred over New York security funding: Rep. Tim Kennedy accused Noem of cutting $134 million in NYC Urban Area Security Initiative funds; Noem countered that city leaders release criminals and had not spent the funds, and a Manhattan federal judge ordered the administration to reinstate the withheld funding in October.
📊 Relevant Data
Since January 20, 2025, New York has released 6,947 criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, terrorists, and sexual predators, due to sanctuary policies instead of turning them over to ICE.
Sanctuary New York Released Nearly 7,000 Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Murderers — Department of Homeland Security
In 2024, Black individuals, who comprise 20.3% of New York City's population, accounted for 53.1% of suspects in violent felonies, while Hispanic individuals (28.4% of the population) accounted for 35.5%.
Crime and Enforcement Activity in New York City — New York City Police Department
In the first half of 2024, Black individuals in New York City were 850.9% more likely to be murder victims than White individuals, and Hispanic individuals were 294.5% more likely.
A Deep Dive into NYC's Violent Crime Data by Race and Ethnicity (2024 First Half) — White Collar Fraud
From 2012-2018 in Texas, undocumented immigrants had a violent felony crime arrest rate of 96.2 per 100,000, compared to 213 per 100,000 for U.S.-born citizens.
Undocumented Immigrant Offending Rate Lower Than U.S.-Born Citizen Rate — U.S. House of Representatives
Immigrants comprise nearly 40% of the population of New York City as of 2024.
2024 Annual Report on New York City's Immigrant Population — New York City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
📰 Sources (8)
- Rep. Seth Magaziner confronted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with a deported U.S. combat veteran (a Purple Heart recipient) via live video during the hearing.
- Noem said she would review several deportation cases highlighted by Magaziner.
- Magaziner’s on‑record rebuke: “You don’t seem to know how to tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys.”
- Democrats identified audience members they said had been deported or had family improperly treated by the immigration system.
- Rep. Tim Kennedy (D‑N.Y.) accused DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of cutting $134 million in NYC Urban Area Security Initiative funding and told her to resign.
- Noem countered that NYC leaders release criminals instead of turning them over to ICE and asserted New York had not spent the funds at issue.
- Fox reports a Manhattan federal judge ordered the administration to reinstate the withheld New York security funding in October.
- Rep. Dan Goldman (D‑N.Y.) pressed Noem on alleged deportations of migrants with pending asylum applications, arguing such removals would violate the law.
- Rep. Bennie Thompson explicitly called on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign during the Dec. 11 House Homeland Security hearing.
- Thompson accused Noem of diverting 'vast resources' to President Trump’s 'extreme' immigration agenda and failing to provide basic responses to congressional oversight.
- Direct quote from Thompson: “I call on you to resign. Do a real service to the country.”
- During the hearing, Rep. Bennie Thompson referred to the WV National Guard shooting as an 'unfortunate accident,' prompting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to call it a 'terrorist attack.'
- Noem asserted the Biden administration failed annual asylum check‑ins and said Lakanwal was admitted under 'Allies Welcome/Refuge.'
- Thompson suggested the Trump administration approved Lakanwal’s asylum (citing CBS reporting) and warned Noem about potential perjury if her statements were false.
- Noem countered that vetting processes were set under Biden-era programs and reiterated that proper SIV standards were not followed.
- Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson used his opening statement to call on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, alleging she dismantled DHS and violated the law.
- Multiple protesters interrupted the hearing chanting anti-ICE messages; they were escorted out by Capitol Police and detained outside the room.
- Noem responded with prepared remarks defending DHS, saying the department is eradicating transnational organized crime, stopping drug flows, ending illegal immigration, and defending against cyberattacks.
- Noem warned of elevated risks to major 2026 U.S. events (World Cup and the nation’s 250th birthday) and said DHS is using every tool to secure them.
- Context noted that President Trump publicly dismissed rumors he would replace Noem, calling her 'fantastic'; Noem told Fox News she continues to serve at his pleasure.
- Two protesters interrupted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s opening remarks at the House Homeland Security Committee hearing, shouting anti-ICE messages; both were escorted out by security.
- One protester, dressed as a priest carrying a crucifix, shouted “End deportations!” and “The power of Christ compels you!” before removal.
- Noem’s opening statement emphasized border enforcement under the Trump administration and efforts to combat transnational crime and illegal immigration.
- National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent told the committee the top threat is not knowing who entered the U.S. during the prior four years.
- Article reiterates DHS tracking that over two million illegal immigrants have been deported under the current administration.
- The hearing begins at 10 a.m. EST on Dec. 11; Noem last appeared in Congress in May.
- Congress in July gave DHS roughly $165 billion, including funds to hire 10,000 more deportation officers, complete sections of the border wall, and expand detention and removals.
- A federal judge is investigating whether Noem should face a contempt charge over flights carrying migrants to El Salvador.
- PBS/AP highlights mounting clashes around DHS immigration operations in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.
- DHS says agents do not target U.S. citizens for immigration violations but acknowledges arrests of Americans for allegedly interfering in operations, while Democrats allege erroneous citizen detentions.