Lawmaker Accuses DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of Lawlessness, Abuse of Power, and Stonewalling Oversight

A blistering confrontation unfolded during a congressional hearing as a Democratic lawmaker launched a direct and scathing attack on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing her of being unqualified for her position, abusing the power of her office, and systematically obstructing congressional oversight.

From the outset, the lawmaker framed the issue as one of trust.

“How can we trust your department with you at the helm?” he asked. “The American people deserve an answer, even if you’ve spent the past year dodging accountability like it’s your full-time job.”

Oversight Is Not Optional

The lawmaker made clear that his remarks were not about partisan politics, but about constitutional responsibility. Congressional oversight, he emphasized, is not a courtesy granted at the discretion of executive agencies.

“Oversight is not optional,” he said. “It is not something you entertain only when it’s politically convenient.”

He accused Secretary Noem of repeatedly treating oversight as an inconvenience—something to be evaded, ignored, or outright denied. While Republicans on the committee praised Noem’s leadership, the lawmaker rejected what he called a “praise fest” that ignored the real-world consequences of DHS policies.

“Communities across America, including mine in New Jersey, are made less safe because DHS under your leadership has become unproductive and malicious,” he said.

Accusations of Unfitness for Office

The criticism escalated as the lawmaker declared that Noem is “deeply unqualified” to lead the Department of Homeland Security. He said this was evident not only in policy outcomes, but in how the department treats elected officials tasked with oversight.

He cited multiple lawmakers—including himself, Representative Grijalva, and Senator Padilla—who he said were targeted by DHS without evidence and without apology.

“Our character, our integrity, and even our bodies were attacked by your department,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, these incidents were not isolated mistakes, but part of a broader pattern of behavior in which DHS targets individuals—members of Congress, community leaders, and even American citizens—without accountability.

“That’s not leadership,” he said. “That’s not democracy.”

DHS as a Political Weapon

The lawmaker stressed that his criticism was not merely personal, but institutional. He accused the Trump administration of turning DHS into a political weapon, operating outside normal checks and balances.

He then posed a blunt question to Secretary Noem:

“Is Trump embarrassed by your tenure, or is this exactly the kind of god-awful leadership he wants at DHS? Yes or no.”

When Noem attempted to respond without giving a direct answer, the lawmaker repeatedly reclaimed his time, demanding a simple yes-or-no response and cutting her off.

“This is my time to talk, not your time to talk,” he said.

Allegations of Lawbreaking and Concealment

Returning to substance, the lawmaker accused DHS of breaking the law, hiding information from Congress, and deliberately shutting out oversight.

“How can the American people trust your department with you at the helm with this kind of behavior?” he asked.

Secretary Noem responded by asserting that the American people trust DHS, pointing to nationwide support and recruitment levels within the department.

The lawmaker immediately moved to another pointed question.

“Do you agree that using DHS resources to target members of Congress is an abuse of power?”

Secretary Noem denied that DHS was doing so, saying the department was simply enforcing the law.

The lawmaker was unsatisfied.

“Of course, we’re not going to get an answer,” he said, before yielding back his time.