New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for the resignation of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday, sharply escalating political pressure on the Trump administration amid growing controversy over federal immigration enforcement operations. Hochul also demanded the firing of Gregory Bovino, the federal law enforcement official overseeing some of the operations, and underscored her belief that no federal agent or official is “above the law.”
“Kristi Noem has forfeited her right to lead. I’m calling on her to resign. Gregory Bovino must also be fired,” Hochul said in a statement. “No one, not an ICE agent, not a federal officer, not a president, is above the law.”
.@Sec_Noem has forfeited her right to lead. I'm calling on her to resign.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) January 25, 2026
Gregory Bovino must also be fired.
No one, not an ICE agent, not a federal officer, not a president, is above the law. pic.twitter.com/tPsaelEJQd
Hochul’s comments come in the wake of mounting national criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and broader Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations, particularly Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, where a U.S. citizen was fatally shot by federal agents during an enforcement action. The fatal encounter sparked protests in multiple cities and intensified scrutiny of DHS tactics and leadership. Demonstrations have continued as lawmakers, civil rights advocates and local officials have challenged the conduct and oversight of federal immigration enforcement.
In Congress, criticism of Noem’s leadership has translated into legislative action. One hundred House Democrats have signed on as co‑sponsors of articles of impeachment against Noem, roughly doubling support for the resolution introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois within a week. Kelly has characterized the growth in co‑sponsors as a reflection of widespread concern over ICE’s tactics and Noem’s direction of the department, accusing her of lying, obstructing Congress and violating civil rights. The articles of impeachment cite obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust and self‑dealing related to DHS contracts as the basis for removal.
Hochul, a Democrat who leads the nation’s most populous state and frequently positions herself as a defender of immigrant rights and strong constitutional governance, has urged a more restrained and accountable approach to immigration enforcement. She has previously supported pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and has opposed hardline federal immigration policies that she says undermine due process and community safety.
Her demand that Noem step down and Bovino be removed places her at the forefront of state executive leaders challenging the federal response, aligning with lawmakers and local officials who argue that DHS operations have overstepped legal boundaries and placed civilians and law enforcement at risk. Hochul’s call also reflects broader concerns among Democratic leaders in states like New York about federal authority, civil liberties and the treatment of immigrant communities.
The impeachment effort in the House underscores how sharply the political landscape has shifted. Rep. Kelly and her supporters argue that Noem’s handling of ICE and DHS has violated congressional oversight, particularly by allegedly blocking lawmakers from visiting DHS facilities and withholding funds appropriated for disaster relief. Critics also point to alleged civil rights violations in detention and enforcement practices, and allegations that Noem awarded significant contracts to a firm linked to political allies, as evidence of a pattern of misconduct.
By tying her call for Noem’s resignation to broader issues of accountability and the rule of law, Hochul has amplified a chorus of voices demanding change at the highest levels of federal immigration leadership. Whether that pressure yields personnel changes at DHS or affects the ongoing impeachment effort in the House remains to be seen, but the governor’s intervention adds a prominent state executive voice to a rapidly intensifying national debate.
