Ranking Member Raskin Statement on the Firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem After Judiciary Democrats’ Grilling
Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2026)—Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after President Donald Trump fired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem hours after Democrats excoriated her in Committee:
“Less than 24 hours after Judiciary Democrats laid bare the staggering corruption, cruelty, and incompetence of Secretary Kristi Noem before the American people, President Trump finally did what should have been done months ago: he fired her. Under her watch, federal agents trampled the Constitution on a daily basis and gunned down two American citizens exercising their constitutional rights. Countless families have been terrorized and beaten under this reign of terror and lawlessness, and this chaos will forever be her legacy.
“Under Noem’s failed leadership, DHS turned the power of the government against the American people, our freedoms and our Constitution, and have thus turned the people against the government. ICE agents, who we were told were going to focus on ‘the worst of the worst,’ indiscriminately rounded up children, parents, refugees, and even the spouses of service members.
“Under Noem, DHS has repeatedly lied to the courts and misled judges. From the bench, judges appointed by both Republicans and Democrats have excoriated DHS for lying and defying court orders. One federal judge observed that ICE under Noem ‘likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some agencies have in their entire existence.’
“Secretary Noem obstructed oversight, tried to block Congress from uncovering the atrocious conditions in ICE detention facilities, and operated as if no law applied to her. Bipartisan outcry over her corruption, including a profoundly suspicious $143 million PR ad contract awarded to a shadowy company with no website and no headquarters that is run by her former spokesperson’s husband, prompted Noem’s arrogant response and revealed her belief that she was above all accountability.
“Although Noem may be gone from DHS, our effort to rein in this out-of-control agency—and hold it accountable to the American people—must intensify with this breakthrough. From day one, it has been clear that Stephen Miller was actually in charge of this lawless and heartless immigration policy. We will continue to hold all violators of the rights of the people accountable and will seek justice for their victims and for all our communities.
“The next Secretary must commit to ending the lies, lawlessness and terror that have come to define DHS under this Administration and to develop a healthy renewed commitment to national security and the rule of law.”
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