- Secretary Noem confronted by Rep. Magaziner over deportation of Purple Heart veteran Sae Joon Park who self-deported after a 2010 removal order.
- Data showed most ICE detainees lacked criminal convictions, fueling criticism that enforcement hits longtime residents and veterans.
- Noem pledged to review Park’s case amid viral scrutiny and broader partisan debate over DHS deportation policies.
Washington, D.C. — Things got heated on Capitol Hill last week when Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared before the House Committee on Homeland Security for a hearing titled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland.”
What was supposed to be a broad discussion on national security quickly turned into a sharp back-and-forth over the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation policies, with one moment in particular grabbing headlines:a direct confrontation involving a decorated Army veteran who had self-deported.
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It all unfolded on December 11, 2025, in the Cannon House Office Building.
Details of the Hearing and Deportations
Democrats on the committee didn’t hold back, pressing Noem on whether her department had deported any military veterans.
Noem firmly stated that DHS had not.
But Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) wasn’t letting it go that easily.
He held up a tablet showing a live Zoom call with Sae Joon Park, a Purple Heart recipient who served in the U.S. Army and was shot twice during operations in Panama in 1989.
“Like many veterans, he struggled with PTSD and substance abuse after his service,” Magaziner explained.
“He was arrested in the 1990s for some minor drug offenses, nothing serious. He never hurt anyone besides himself, and he’s been clean and sober for 14 years.”
Park, who immigrated legally from South Korea as a child, received a removal order back in 2010 after those old offenses.
His appeal was dismissed in 2011, and facing no legal path to stay, he chose to self-deport to South Korea rather than be forcibly removed.
Magaziner asked Noem point-blank if she would thank Park for his service.
Her response: “Sir, I’m grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws.”
The exchange didn’t stop there.
Magaziner pushed Noem to commit to reviewing Park’s case, and she agreed: “I will absolutely look at his case.”
He also pointed out another veteran in the room — Jim Brown from Troy, Missouri, sitting right behind Noem in the gallery.
Brown’s wife, an Irish native who’s lived in the U.S. for 48 years, was detained and facing deportation over two bad checks totaling just $80 from years ago.
Kristi Noem, Tricia McLaughlin Fail to Represent Immigration Security
The hearing was part of ongoing oversight of DHS under Noem, who was confirmed as secretary earlier in 2025 after a relatively smooth Senate process.
Back in January, the Senate voted 59-34 to confirm her, with some Democrats crossing party lines.
At her confirmation hearing, Noem emphasized securing the border and tackling what she called an “invasion” of illegal immigration, aligning closely with President Trump’s priorities.
But by December, the tone had shifted dramatically.
Democrats accused the administration of overreach, pointing to cases like Park’s as evidence that the crackdown was hitting longtime residents and even those with military service, not just “the worst of the worst” as Noem often describes targets.
The administration has been under fire for missing their mark under Kristi Noem and Donald Trump’s leadership to deport the worst of the worst criminals.
75% of ICE detainees have had no criminal background, contradicting the United States’ plan to deport these ‘vicious illegal aliens’ our government so bad wants us to believe in.
The numbers, first obtained by the libertarian Cato Institute and corroborated by multiple independent datasets, show that since the start of the fiscal year on October 1, a whopping 73 percent of people booked into ICE custody had no criminal conviction at all.
Nearly half of those detained—48 percent—didn’t even have pending charges on their records.
And get this: Only 5 percent involved individuals with a violent criminal conviction.
A DHS spokesperson later pushed back, noting that an immigration judge issued Park’s removal order in 2010, and his appeal was dismissed in 2011.
“With no legal basis to remain in the U.S. and a final order of removal, Park was allowed to self-deport to Korea,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
Still, the moment went viral, with clips circulating widely on social media and covered by outlets from PBS to CNN.
Some late-night shows even picked it up, questioning how a Purple Heart veteran could end up in this situation.
Americans Begin to Lose Respect for Noem
This wasn’t Noem’s only tough day on the Hill in 2025.
Earlier in the year, during a Senate hearing, she stumbled over a question about habeas corpus, drawing criticism for misunderstanding a core constitutional principle.
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) later said she was “truly shocked” by Noem’s response.
There were other flashpoints too. Reports surfaced of frustrations within DHS over Noem’s high-profile style, including photo ops during raids that allegedly tipped off targets.
And in one bizarre incident, Noem was turned away from a municipal building in Illinois when seeking a restroom during a visit.
Broader scrutiny has followed Noem throughout her tenure.
Rumors swirled in late 2025 that President Trump was considering replacing her, with sources citing leadership issues and reliance on certain advisors.
A White House spokesperson dismissed those as “fake news,” insisting she was doing a “great job.”
On the flip side, supporters point to achievements like travel bans on certain countries and aggressive enforcement that they say has deterred illegal crossings.
Noem has also traveled internationally to study border security practices in places like Israel and Italy.
The veteran confrontation underscores a deeper divide. Advocates for stricter immigration say laws must be enforced uniformly, criminal history or not.
Critics argue cases like Park’s — involving old, non-violent offenses and significant contributions to the country — deserve discretion and humanity.
What Happens Next?
As mass deportations continue to roll out, hearings like this one show Congress isn’t shying away from the debate.
Noem left the December session early for what was described as another meeting (which was later canceled), but the questions lingered.
Whether Park’s case gets a second look remains to be seen.
For now, his virtual appearance from halfway around the world has put a very personal face on a highly charged national issue.
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