Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday demanded the immediate dismissal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and warned they will begin impeachment proceedings if she is not removed at once.
In a joint statement, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, joined by his top lieutenants, said: "The violence unleashed on the American people by the Department of Homeland Security must end forthwith. Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives." The declaration followed recent shootings by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens with no criminal records.
The statement places Democratic leadership on a collision course with the Republican majority in the House. Democrats are the minority party in the chamber, while Republicans hold a narrow majority and therefore control House committees responsible for reviewing and drafting articles of impeachment. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, also has significant authority over which matters reach the floor for debate and votes.
Democratic leaders signaled intent to escalate the matter if the administration does not act to remove Noem. At the same time, the practical mechanics of advancing an impeachment inquiry or articles of impeachment remain constrained by the current partisan configuration of the House.
There are procedural pathways Democrats could use if Republican leaders decline to engage, but any effort to secure a floor vote on an impeachment proceeding would require persuading at least a small number of Republicans to support bringing the matter to the chamber for a vote. The party balance in the House therefore represents a central limiting factor in the Democrats' stated plan.
Context and immediate developments
Democratic leaders tied their demand directly to the shootings by ICE agents that led to two fatalities among U.S. citizens who, according to the Democratic statement, had no criminal records. That factual claim formed the basis for their call for Noem's removal and potential impeachment.
What remains unresolved
- Whether the Homeland Security secretary will be fired by the administration or removed through congressional action.
- How many Republicans, if any, would be willing to support bringing impeachment measures to the House floor.
- Which procedural routes Democrats might pursue should Republican leaders decline to act on the issue.
The coming days will determine whether the Democrats move from public warning to formal proceedings and whether any Republican cooperation materializes to allow a floor vote on impeachment.