House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated his party’s intention to pursue impeachment proceedings against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem if she is not removed from her position, emphasizing during a press conference that her leadership has led to unacceptable outcomes including the deaths of American citizens. This stance comes amid growing scrutiny of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations under Noem, highlighted by recent fatal incidents in Minnesota that have sparked protests and intensified calls for accountability in federal immigration enforcement.

In response to a reporter’s question about the timeline for commencing impeachment and potential Republican support, Jeffries described Noem as a complete and total embarrassment and a disgrace, pointing to her oversight of what he called the cold-blooded killings of American citizens such as Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. He asserted that she should never have been confirmed and criticized Senate Republicans for placing an unqualified individual in a key role at the Department of Homeland Security, allowing for the brutalization of everyday Americans, citizens, and law-abiding immigrant families. Jeffries emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying the party is dead serious and that Noem needs to be put on ice permanently.

.@RepJeffries: "We intend to proceed with impeachment proceedings if Kristi Noem is not fired. Kristi Noem is a complete and total embarrassment, she's a disgrace. And on top of all that, she's presided over the cold-blooded killings of American citizens…She's got to go." pic.twitter.com/W38QUXk55w

— CSPAN (@cspan) January 29, 2026

The comments align with a broader push among House Democrats, where one hundred members have now signed on as co-sponsors to articles of impeachment against Noem. The resolution, introduced by Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois, has seen its support double in just one week, reflecting heightened attention to ICE’s practices and Noem’s management of the department.

Kelly noted in a press release that the expansion of co-sponsors, spanning from California to New York and Minnesota to Texas, stems from direct experiences with what she described as ICE’s “Gestapo-like tactics” in communities. She stated that as Noem continues to lie, obstruct Congress, and violate people’s civil rights, the support for her impeachment only grows, urging Republicans to align with the law and the Constitution.

The momentum for this impeachment effort has accelerated following events like the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis, which has fueled protests and renewed discussions on immigration enforcement. A similar incident involving Alex Pretti has also contributed to the criticism, underscoring concerns over excessive force and accountability in DHS operations.

This initiative marks a more substantial backing than prior attempts to impeach executive officials, with Kelly anticipating further Democratic sign-ons in the near future, potentially approaching half of the House Democratic caucus. The articles charge Noem with three counts: obstruction of Congress, based on claims that lawmakers were denied access to DHS facilities and that disaster relief funds were withheld; violation of public trust, centered on ICE actions that allegedly deprived detainees of due process and infringed on First and Fourth Amendment rights; and self-dealing, arising from reports that Noem approved $220 million in contracts to a firm operated by the husband of her top spokesperson.

These developments occur at a time when public and congressional focus on immigration policy has sharpened due to recent enforcement actions, making the push for Noem’s removal a significant point of partisan tension in ongoing debates over border security and civil liberties.