Washington is buzzing as a significant number of House Democrats take a bold stand against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Over 50 House Democrats, making up about a quarter of their caucus, have signed on to co-sponsor articles of impeachment against Noem, led by Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois, a key figure in Democratic leadership.
This effort, fueled by frustration over the recent shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, marks a shift from past impeachment attempts against Trump administration officials that gained little traction.
By Tuesday afternoon, 53 lawmakers had joined the cause, with more potentially adding their names, according to a list obtained by Axios.
Several co-sponsors hail from competitive districts, including Reps. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico, Eric Sorensen of Illinois, and Dave Min of California, while centrists like Reps. Angie Craig of Minnesota and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts are also on board.
The articles, set to be revealed on Wednesday, will charge Noem with obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing tied to a $220 million contract controversy. Kelly’s office noted additional support might grow in the coming days.
"Under Secretary Noem, DHS and ICE have systemically violated the rights and privacy of Americans, terrorized our cities, and obstructed Congress," Rep. Robin Kelly wrote in a letter rallying her colleagues.
"As ICE officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, Rep. Kelly is more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually cleaning up her crime-ridden Chicago district," a DHS spokesperson fired back.
Looking at the specific charges, the obstruction of Congress claim centers on Noem allegedly blocking lawmakers from DHS facilities and withholding disaster relief funds. If true, that’s a serious breach, but without clear evidence presented yet, it’s hard to separate fact from political theater. The public deserves transparency, not just talking points.
The violation of public trust charge, tied to alleged denials of due process for ICE detainees and constitutional infringements, sounds alarming on paper. Yet, in an era of complex immigration challenges, enforcing federal law often puts agencies in a no-win situation—caught between progressive demands for leniency and the need to maintain order. Balance, not blame, should guide this discussion.
Then there’s the self-dealing accusation, pointing to a hefty $220 million contract awarded to a firm linked to Noem’s spokesperson’s spouse. That raises eyebrows, no question, but let’s wait for the full details before rushing to judgment.
Not every Democrat is on board with this aggressive move, as Rep. Susie Lee of Nevada cautioned in a closed-door meeting that pushing for a Noem impeachment vote could backfire for those in swing districts. She’s got a point—voters in tight races often prioritize bread-and-butter issues over high-profile political battles. Will this gamble alienate moderates?
The timing of this push, sparked by the tragic shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis last week, adds another layer of complexity. While emotions run high after such an event, tying it directly to Noem’s leadership feels like a stretch without concrete evidence of her personal involvement. Policy disagreements shouldn’t be conflated with isolated incidents.
Battleground Democrats like Vasquez, Sorensen, and Min are taking a risk by aligning with this effort. Their districts aren’t safe blue territory, and constituents might see this as prioritizing partisan fights over local concerns. It’s a tightrope walk, and the fall could be steep.
