DHS Secretary Noem's second Capitol Hill grilling this week: What to know
#Kristi Noem#Homeland Security#Immigration Enforcement#Capitol Hill Testimony#Domestic Terrorism Comments#DHS Shutdown#Iran War Threats
📌 Key Takeaways
Noem declined to apologize for calling two Americans killed by federal agents 'domestic terrorists'
Noem refused to directly deny having sexual relations with advisor Corey Lewandowski
House Republicans gave Noem a friendlier reception than Senate Republicans the previous day
The hearing occurred during a DHS shutdown amid increased security threats due to the war in Iran
📖 Full Retelling
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared before the House Judiciary Committee for nearly seven hours on Wednesday, facing her second consecutive day of questioning on Capitol Hill about her department's immigration enforcement policies following the fatal shootings of two Americans in Minnesota during an immigration crackdown. The hearing marked a stark contrast from Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Committee session, where Noem faced more intense criticism from Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who called the Minnesota killings 'unacceptable.' The House Republican caucus generally demonstrates stronger alignment with President Donald Trump's agenda than their Senate counterparts, resulting in a more favorable reception for Noem during Wednesday's testimony. Throughout the hearing, Noem addressed various controversies, including her characterization of the two deceased individuals as 'domestic terrorists' and her relationship with advisor Corey Lewandowski, while navigating questions about DHS operations during a partial government shutdown that coincides with heightened security concerns due to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
🏷️ Themes
Immigration Enforcement, Congressional Oversight, Department of Homeland Security Operations
An American national security policy, homeland security is "the national effort to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards where American interests, aspirations, and ways of life can thrive" to the "national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within...
Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem ( NOHM; née Arnold; born November 30, 1971) is an American politician who is the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security. A member of the Republican Party, she served as the 33rd governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025 and represented South Dakota's at-large congr...
Immigration Enforcement (IE) is a law enforcement command within the Home Office, responsible for enforcing immigration law across the United Kingdom. The force was part of the now defunct UK Border Agency from its establishment in 2008 until Home Secretary Theresa May demerged it in March 2012 afte...
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday appeared before the House Judiciary Committee for nearly seven hours, her second straight day of grilling by lawmakers on Capitol Hill. She had an easier day than on Tuesday when the Senate Judiciary Committee , including Republican Thom Tillis of North Carolina, criticized her job performance and Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said the killings of two people during an immigration crackdown in Minnesota were unacceptable. The House Republican caucus is generally in a tighter lockstep with President Donald Trump than their counterparts in the Senate. Here are five takeaways from Noem's day before the House Judiciary panel: Read more CNBC politics coverage Iran war live updates: U.S. closes embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Five races to watch on the day the 2026 midterm elections kick off ‘Mistakes were made,’ Grassley tells Noem about Trump’s immigration crackdown 1. Noem declines to apologize over domestic terrorism comments Noem did not take the opportunity to apologize for her comments that characterized two Americans shot and killed by federal immigration agents as domestic terrorists. Asked by the panel's ranking member, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., if she would like to apologize for her comments, Noem offered condolences to the families of those shot but skipped apologizing for her comments. "My heart is with them and we will continue to stand with them as they get a complete investigation into these situations," Noem said. Noem said in the immediate aftermath of both the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good that they were engaged in acts of "domestic terrorism." Subsequent videos of the shootings contradicted those claims. 2. Noem does not say she's never had sex with Corey Lewandowski Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked Noem whether she has ever had "sexual relations" with her top advisor, Corey Lewandowski, during her tenure atop DHS. Noem ripped the question as "tabloid garbage" but did not say affirmative...
