Secretary Kristi Noem endured two days of intense congressional questioning following the fatal shooting of two protesters by immigration officers in Minneapolis. Democrats and some Republicans criticized her leadership, spending decisions, and characterization of the victims as armed agitators.
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem concluded two days of intense congressional hearings Wednesday, marking her first appearance before lawmakers following the fatal shooting of two demonstrators in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents.
Democratic members of Congress — along with several Republicans — delivered harsh criticism of Noem over claims that immigration officers under her leadership have violated the rights of both immigrants and U.S. citizens while employing unnecessary force. Lawmakers also questioned her department’s financial management of billions in congressional funding and accused her of avoiding responsibility.
The secretary, who leads President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, maintains she has bolstered national security by reducing migration at the southern border. She defended immigration officers as law-abiding when confronting violent demonstrators. Most Republican lawmakers supported her position, describing Noem as working to address immigration issues left unresolved by President Joe Biden’s previous administration.
Throughout both hearing sessions, lawmakers repeatedly challenged Noem’s description of the deceased protesters, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as armed troublemakers. Video footage and witness statements from bystanders have disputed Noem’s version of events.
House committee ranking Democrat Jamie Raskin of Maryland confronted Noem about her statements.
“You told a lie about them. You said they were domestic terrorists,” Raskin said.
Additional Democratic representatives questioned the use of force by DHS agents in removing individuals from vehicles and the detention of an American citizen taken from his Minneapolis residence while in sleepwear.
Noem encountered criticism from Republican lawmakers as well, particularly from outgoing Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who labeled her leadership a “disaster” during Tuesday’s session.
Throughout the hearings, Noem countered the accusations, claiming Democrats possessed inaccurate information while defending her officers’ methods.
“We do targeted enforcement based on intelligence and go after the worst of the worst,” Noem said.
Addressing her post-shooting remarks on Tuesday, Noem explained she relied on information from field personnel and attributed responsibility to “violent protesters” for creating the chaotic situation officers faced.
According to a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari stated that DHS leadership has “systematically obstructed” his office’s work across 11 cases, including one criminal probe with a “nexus” to the department.
Cuffari reported that his office was denied access to databases and prevented from taking other investigative steps.
Georgia Democratic Representative Hank Johnson questioned Noem about the correspondence, stating her department demonstrated a “pattern of obstructing investigations.”
Noem rejected the claim, saying Cuffari failed to specify what information he sought and his timeline for requests.
“He wants unfettered access to every single thing in the department. And that’s not the process,” Noem said.
Congress allocated $170 billion to Noem’s department, funding that has generated questions about its allocation and usage.
On Wednesday, the secretary faced questions about her department’s $220 million advertising campaign featuring Noem that urged undocumented individuals to depart voluntarily.
Democrats questioned whether contracts followed competitive bidding procedures and if Noem’s connections inappropriately benefited from the process.
“You’re using millions of dollars of taxpayer money in this way,” said Democratic Representative Joe Neguse, who labeled it fraudulent. “Ultimately I think there’s going to be accountability.”
Noem maintained the expenditures were legal.
The committee’s top Democrat also criticized Noem regarding her department’s acquisition of luxury aircraft.
The Associated Press previously reported that federal agents were claiming broad authority to forcibly enter suspects’ homes without judicial warrants — actions legal scholars say violate constitutional protections.
During both hearing days, Noem defended the warrants as proper and legal. She described their use in forced entries as limited, stating they were employed only 28 times under her leadership, without specifying locations.
“We do use it, but it’s very rare when we do,” Noem said.
However, even Republicans objected to the warrant usage. Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie stated he’s a “strong proponent of the Fourth Amendment, and I think it would be helpful if we stuck to that.”
California Democratic Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove questioned Noem about her connection to Corey Lewandowski, a special government employee serving as one of the secretary’s senior advisers.
Lewandowski served as Trump’s initial 2016 campaign manager and remained one of his prominent supporters. He subsequently became a key Noem ally, facilitating her access to the former president’s political network.
Upon Noem’s appointment to DHS, Lewandowski received special government employee status — a role intended to restrict his working days at the department. However, his constant presence alongside Noem has raised questions about his actual work schedule and the nature of their relationship.
Kamlager-Dove described Lewandowski as wielding “unchecked” and “unconfirmed” authority and directly asked whether Noem and Lewandowski were romantically involved.
“At any time during your tenure as director of the Department of Homeland Security have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?” said Kamlager-Dove.
“Mr. Chairman, I am shocked that we are going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today,” Noem responded. She denied the allegations, called the questioning offensive, and stated Lewandowski lacks decision-making authority.