\u201cYou have systematically dismantled the Department of Homeland Security, put your own interests above the department, and violated the law. You are making America less safe,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cSo rather than sitting here and wasting your time and ours with more corruption, lies and lawlessness, I call on you to resign. Do a real service to the country and just resign. That is, if President Trump doesn’t fire you first.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
As Noem began delivering her opening statement, several protesters opposed to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) interrupted the proceedings, shouting, \u201cGet ICE off our streets,\u201d and, \u201cStop terrorizing our community.\u201d Capitol Police escorted the protesters out and detained them outside the hearing room.<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNoem, joined at the hearing by National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent and Michael Glasheen, operations director of the FBI\u2019s National Security Branch, noted that one of her grandchildren in the audience was upset by Thompson\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cI don’t think she agreed with him,\u201d Noem said jokingly.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
She defended her department\u2019s record, telling lawmakers, \u201cDHS is eradicating transnational organized crime and the stopping of deadly drugs from continuing to be funneled into our communities. We’re ending illegal immigration, returning sanity back to our immigration system, and we’re defending against cyberattacks against our critical infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing global threats \u2014 including those posed by domestic extremists and radical Islamic terrorism \u2014 Noem said the United States should prepare for heightened risks as it readies major events in 2026, such as the World Cup and the nation\u2019s 250th birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watch:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n