Lawmaker Demands Kristi Noem's Resignation: 'Not Fit to Hold the Office'

Ramirez Calls for Noem’s Resignation During House Hearing

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) on Wednesday publicly called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing.

“For weeks and weeks we've been waiting for Secretary Noem to come before our committee,” Ramirez said in a video posted on X ahead of the hearing. “I'm not going to sit there and just let her lie under oath about all the horrifying things that she's doing... I say enough is enough, and in just a few minutes, I'm going to say that to her face, because it's about damn time that person, that secretary, resigns.” Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

Ramirez Questions Noem on Constitutional Responsibilities

During her remarks at the hearing, Ramirez questioned Noem on constitutional obligations, asking whether she believed Congress and the judiciary were co-equal branches of government, and whether the executive branch is required to honor legislation and appropriations passed by Congress. U.S. House of Representatives / Wikimedia

Allegations of Office Closures and Legal Violations

Ramirez alleged that Noem had disregarded federal law in multiple instances. “You closed offices established in law, including the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman,” Ramirez said.

“You canceled contracts for programs authorized in law, including shelter and services programs, and citizenship and integration grants,” she continued. Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Concerns Over Emergency Spending and Private Prisons

She also claimed that Noem had “used emergency authority to avoid procurement to make [President Donald] Trump’s private prison donors richer by directing $45 billion to them for expanded ICE detention centers.” The White House / Wikimedia

Dispute Over Constitutional Adherence

In the hearing, Ramirez criticized Noem’s commitment to constitutional principles, calling it “laughable” when Noem asserted that she had sworn to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution.

“You don’t behave like someone who takes that oath seriously,” Ramirez said. “We don’t live in a dictatorship or a monarchy. Trump’s will is not the guiding doctrine of the nation, and our country is not a playground for his and your twisted authoritarian fantasies.” Brian Thorpe / Wikimedia

Ramirez Demands Resignation on the Record

Ramirez demanded Noem’s resignation, stating, “YOU have betrayed the sacred fundamentals of your oath; YOU are not fit to hold the office, and I, again—to your face—demand your resignation and place that request on the record.”

A letter submitted by Ramirez to Noem reiterated the call for resignation and cited reports of DHS officials expelling "immigrants, legal residents, and citizens alike." Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Reference to Senator’s Oversight Concerns

Ramirez also referenced recent remarks by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who described DHS as “out of control.” United States Senate / Wikimedia

Discussion of Habeas Corpus Authority

During the same hearing, Noem discussed the constitutional authority of the president to suspend habeas corpus, a point previously raised by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

Administration Cites ‘Invasion’ Justification

The Trump administration has argued that the U.S. is facing an “invasion” from criminal elements, a rationale used in part to justify migrant expulsions. René DeAnda / Unsplash

Illinois Governor Defends Habeas Corpus Protections

Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-Ill.) responded to that suggestion earlier this week, stating in a post on X, “No government has the right to arbitrarily take your freedom away. Preserving habeas corpus is not optional. It's a fundamental concept of justice that people have fought and died for.” Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images