- Rep. Delia Ramirez demanded Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem resign, be fired, or face impeachment over alleged misuse of resources and misleading Congress.
- Despite Democratic accusations and reports of wrongful detentions, Noem retains strong White House and Republican support, making impeachment unlikely under GOP House control.
In a heated House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Thursday, December 11, 2025, Illinois Democratic Rep. Delia Ramirez issued a stark ultimatum to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem: resign, get fired by President Trump, or face impeachment.
The confrontation came amid growing Democratic criticism of the Trump administration’s aggressive mass deportation efforts, led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Ramirez didn’t hold back during the hearing.
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She accused Noem directly: “Secretary Noem, you have misused resources appropriated by Congress and engaged in unethical behavior.
You have repeatedly made false and misleading statements to Congress and to the press. And you have undermined the separation of powers and disregarded the role of Congress and the Courts.
Bottom line: you LIE, act with impunity, reject checks and balances, and ignore Congress and the Courts.”
She then delivered the bombshell: “Your options are limited. You either resign, Trump fires you, or you will be impeached.”
Noem fired back defiantly. When pressed on calls for her resignation, she said, “Truthfully, I consider your asking me to resign an endorsement of my work.”
She also defended the department’s actions broadly: “Under President Trump’s leadership, DHS is securing our borders, we’re restoring the rule of law, and we’re protecting the homeland. We have sent a strong message to criminal illegal aliens that we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will deport you.”
The hearing itself was chaotic—protesters interrupted proceedings with chants against ICE raids and deportations, adding to the tension.
What Sparked This Ultimatum?
Ramirez’s push goes beyond rhetoric.
She sent a formal letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), calling for a full investigation into Noem’s leadership.
In the letter, Ramirez wrote: “Under Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has done irreversible harm to our constituents, trampling the rights of all people and disregarding the rule of law.”
Key accusations include:
- Misleading Congress and the public
- Misusing congressionally appropriated resources
- Disregarding court orders and legislative oversight
- Reports of over 170 U.S. citizens wrongly detained by immigration agents, despite Noem’s claims that enforcement only targets those here illegally
One poignant moment came from Rhode Island Democrat Rep. Seth Magaziner, who grilled Noem about specific cases.
He highlighted Donna Hughes Brown, a green card holder detained by ICE in Kentucky since July over old bad checks worth $80.
She’s married to Jim Brown, a Navy combat veteran who served in the Gulf War.
Magaziner asked: “Now what possible explanation can there be for locking up his wife for four months when she has committed no crime other than writing a couple of bad checks for $80?”
Noem responded that it’s not “my prerogative, my latitude or my job to pick and choose which laws in this country get enforced,” but she committed to reviewing the case and others mentioned.
Another case involved a combat veteran deported to South Korea, who appeared via video call during the hearing.
Strong Backing from the Top—and Why Impeachment Is Unlikely
Despite the Democratic onslaught, Noem has solid support from President Trump.
Just a day earlier, on Wednesday, Trump told reporters: “I read a story recently that I’m unhappy with Kristi — I’m so happy with her…We have a border that’s the best border in the history of our country.
Why would I be unhappy? She’s fantastic, actually.”
Republicans on the committee echoed this.
House Homeland Security Chair Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) praised the results: “The border is secure, the flow of drugs is slowing, and violent criminals are being taken off the streets. America is once again a symbol of global strength.”
A DHS spokesperson pushed back hard against Ramirez, saying:
“As a self-proclaimed ‘Guatemala first’ politician, we are not shocked that Rep Ramirez is more focused on showmanship than actual policy work including hours before a hearing.
We hope she would get serious about doing her job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem.”
With Republicans controlling the House, experts say impeachment proceedings against a Cabinet member in a GOP-led administration are extremely unlikely.
A spokesman for Jordan’s office called Ramirez’s letter “toothless.”
Deep Divisions on Immigration
This showdown highlights the stark partisan divide over Trump’s immigration policies.
Democrats argue they’re causing unnecessary harm, including to legal residents and citizens.
Republicans and the administration counter that strict enforcement is delivering real results: tighter borders, reduced illegal crossings, fewer drugs entering the country, and removal of dangerous individuals.
Noem has emphasized that DHS is simply enforcing existing laws appropriately.
Ranking Democrat Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) criticized Noem sharply:
“Never in the history of the committee has a secretary of Homeland Security hidden from congressional oversight like you and your department have, Secretary Noem.”
Yet, amid rumors of potential leadership changes at DHS (which the White House has dismissed), Noem appears firmly in place—for now.
This isn’t isolated—other Democrats have filed impeachment articles against Trump appointees like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—but those face the same uphill battle.
What Happens Next?
As the 2026 midterms loom, these clashes are amplifying debates over border security, executive power, and accountability.
Whether it leads to real consequences for Noem remains to be seen, but it’s putting the administration’s immigration strategy under an intense spotlight.
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Also Read: Trump’s Latest Executive Order is Now Under Fire by GOP
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