Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign Thursday during opening remarks at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland.”
“You 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,” Thompson said. “So 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.”
As Noem began delivering her opening statement, several protesters opposed to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) interrupted the proceedings, shouting, “Get ICE off our streets,” and, “Stop terrorizing our community.” Capitol Police escorted the protesters out and detained them outside the hearing room.
Noem, joined at the hearing by National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent and Michael Glasheen, operations director of the FBI’s National Security Branch, noted that one of her grandchildren in the audience was upset by Thompson’s comments.
“I don’t think she agreed with him,” Noem said jokingly.
She defended her department’s record, telling lawmakers, “DHS 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.”
Addressing global threats — including those posed by domestic extremists and radical Islamic terrorism — 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’s 250th birthday.
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“These large-scale events will be potential targets for a range of bad actors, and they come with an increased level of risk. DHS is using every tool and authority we have to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens, and our visitors can enjoy next year’s events,” she said.
Rumors had circulated in recent days that President Donald Trump was considering replacing Noem as head of DHS. Trump dismissed the speculation on Wednesday, telling reporters that Noem has been “fantastic.”
Noem also addressed the rumors in an interview with Fox News ahead of the hearing.
“Oh, that’s absolutely not true,” she said. “President Trump and I are doing wonderfully. I’m so proud to work for him, and I’m going to continue to serve at his pleasure.”
