Several House Republicans are raising alarms about the lack of bipartisan support for a resolution to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. They criticize the Democratic minority’s efforts as merely a “messaging exercise” and a “partisan stunt.” Despite more than half of House Democrats backing the resolution, many have yet to sign on. Rep. Robin Kelly introduced the resolution on January 14, with 146 of 213 House Democrats currently supporting it, according to her post on social media.
GOP sources on Capitol Hill indicate that Democrats have not made any attempts to collaborate with Republicans on this issue. Rep. Pat Fallon from Texas noted that a previous impeachment resolution against then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas gained more traction than the Democrats’ current push against Noem. “Mayorkas presided over an open border and the worst human trafficking crisis in modern history,” Fallon stated. He believes Noem has successfully fulfilled her duties, contrasting her performance with that of Mayorkas, whom he described as having “left our border open.”
Fallon was joined by fellow Republican Rep. Andy Biggs, who pointed out the stark differences between their impeachment effort against Mayorkas and the Democrats’ current actions. Biggs highlighted Mayorkas’s alleged refusal to enforce federal law, leading to harm in border communities. “As a Representative from Arizona, I’ve seen firsthand the harm his failures caused—overrun communities, overwhelmed law enforcement,” Biggs explained. He labeled the Noem impeachment articles a “partisan stunt” lacking a factual or constitutional foundation, further asserting that the American people can distinguish between genuine misconduct and “manufactured outrage.”
While the articles introduced by Fallon and Biggs did not reach a vote, the party managed to pass articles of impeachment against Mayorkas by a narrow margin in 2024. However, the Senate ultimately did not convict him, as the majority was in favor of the Democrats. Fallon underscored that Democrats struggle to present a unified front, dismissing their current resolution as a tool to appeal to an increasingly left-leaning base.
If Democrats regain control after the 2026 midterms, they would face challenges in securing a two-thirds majority in the Senate for any impeachment efforts. Rep. Wesley Hunt emphasized the hypocrisy of the Democrats, recalling how they remained silent when former President Barack Obama expelled individuals at higher rates than Trump. He characterized their current stance against Noem as desperate.
The articles of impeachment were put forth just before a tragic incident involving U.S. Border Patrol in Minneapolis, where a 37-year-old nurse was killed. Secretary Noem commented on the situation, implying that the response from law enforcement was justified. As unrest erupted in the city following the lethal shooting, the lack of local police presence contrasted sharply with the chaotic protests after George Floyd’s death.
Donald Trump has urged cooperation between Noem’s DHS and local law enforcement as tensions escalate. Reports indicate the president emphasized the need to work together peacefully, especially amidst growing public concern over safety and law enforcement protocols.
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