Rep. Thompson calls for DHS Secretary Noem to resign at House hearing
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Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign in his opening remarks Thursday to the 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 instead of sitting here 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 resign. Unless President Trump fires you first.”
As Noem was giving her opening statement, she was interrupted by several protesters opposed to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), shouting “Get ICE off our streets” and “Stop terrorizing our communities.”
Protesters were escorted out by Capitol Police and detained outside the hearing room.
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Noem, who was joined at the hearing by Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and Michael Glasheen, director of operations for the FBI’s National Security Branch, said one of her grandchildren, who was in the audience, cried a little during Thompson’s remarks.
“I don’t think you agree with him,” Noem said jokingly.
Announces DHS’s work to secure the southern border and protect the United States
A protester interrupts a House Homeland Security Committee hearing attended by Joseph Kent, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and FBI official Michael Glasheen on Capitol Hill in Washington on December 11, 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
“DHS is dismantling transnational organized crime and ensuring that deadly drugs are stopped from continuing to flow into our communities,” he told lawmakers. “We are ending illegal immigration, restoring sanity to our immigration system, and defending against cyberattacks on our critical infrastructure.”
NOEM CALLS FOR ‘TOTAL TRAVEL BAN’ ON COUNTRIES FLOWING IMMIGRANTS TO THE USA AFTER DC ATTACK
Citing global threats the country faces, including domestic extremists and radical Islamic terrorism, the former South Dakota governor said the United States must be prepared for increased risks as it prepares to host major events such as the World Cup and the country’s 250th birthday in 2026.
“These large-scale events will be potential targets for a range of bad actors and 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,” Noem added.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sworn in for a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on December 11, 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
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Rumors have been circulating in recent days that President Donald Trump is considering replacing her as DHS chief. Trump shot down those rumors on Wednesday, telling reporters that Noem was “wonderful.”
Noem also addressed the rumors in an appearance on Fox News ahead of Thursday’s hearing.
“Oh, that’s absolutely not true,” he said. “President Trump and I are doing a great job. I am very proud to work for him and will continue to serve at his will.”
Fox News’ Bill Melugin contributed to this report.
