Lawmakers Take Aim at Homeland Security Chief

A group of Democratic lawmakers is set to file impeachment charges against Kristi Noem, the current head of the Department of Homeland Security. This move comes after a controversial shooting incident in Minneapolis, where an ICE agent shot and killed a 37-year-old woman. The lawmakers claim that Noem has not been transparent or accountable in her role. Noem and the Trump administration have called the shooting an act of domestic terrorism. However, local officials and video evidence tell a different story. The Minneapolis mayor has criticized the use of force and asked federal agents to leave the city. Instead of backing down, the administration has sent more agents, making tensions worse. Three representatives plan to file the impeachment charges. They are Robin Kelly from Illinois, Ilhan Omar from Minnesota, and Maxine Dexter from Oregon. Their states have seen recent incidents involving federal agents. The charges include obstructing congressional oversight, using excessive force, and misusing taxpayer money.The Department of Homeland Security has responded by accusing Kelly of focusing on politics instead of crime. They say ICE agents are facing more violence and need support, not criticism. This is not the first time Noem has faced impeachment efforts. Last year, another representative tried to impeach her over immigration policies in Chicago. Democrats are divided on how to handle the situation. Some want to use upcoming funding deadlines to limit ICE's power. Others, like minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, question if impeachment is the best way to remove Noem. He called her unqualified but did not fully support the impeachment effort. In 2024, House Republicans impeached Joe Biden's homeland security secretary. The Senate dismissed the charges, saying they did not meet the standard for a high crime or misdemeanor. Impeachment requires a majority vote in the House and a two-thirds majority in the Senate to remove an official.