A movement to impeach Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem is gaining momentum within the House of Representatives. The effort follows the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, prompting renewed scrutiny of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. This initiative has garnered additional support from Democratic lawmakers, but remains in its early procedural stages.
Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) introduced the impeachment resolution on January 14. The proposed articles of impeachment cite three primary allegations: obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing. As of now, more than 80 House Democrats have backed the resolution, indicating a significant faction within the party is advocating for accountability.
During a recent press conference, Rep. Kelly expressed strong sentiments regarding Secretary Noem’s actions. “Secretary Noem has brought her reign of terror to the Chicago land area, L.A., New Orleans, Charlotte, Durham, and communities north to south to east to west. She needs to be held accountable for her actions,” he stated. Kelly emphasized the impact of Good’s death, asserting that families have been irrevocably affected by Noem’s policies and decisions.
Despite the increasing support among Democrats, the House remains under Republican control, posing considerable challenges to the impeachment process. The resolution has been formally introduced and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, but no vote is currently scheduled.
In response to the impeachment effort, a DHS representative characterized it as “silly” in a statement to Newsweek. Some centrist lawmakers and even a few Democrats have expressed reservations about the effectiveness of pursuing impeachment at this time.
At present, Noem has not been impeached. While House Democrats have initiated the first formal steps, the slow-moving process necessitates multiple votes, making the likelihood of impeachment uncertain unless there is a substantial shift in support. The current push serves more as a political statement than an immediate legal action.
For the impeachment initiative to progress, the House Judiciary Committee would need to hold hearings or take a vote to advance the resolution. It remains unclear whether Rep. Kelly will seek to push for a full House vote. Republican leadership has not indicated any support for impeachment, further complicating the situation.
As this political landscape evolves, it is crucial to stay informed about the developments surrounding this significant initiative in U.S. politics.
