Noem firing doesn’t break DHS funding impasse, Democrats say

President Donald Trump’s firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will not break the DHS funding logjam, Democrats said Thursday.

Trump announced the firing quickly RealSocial post On Thursday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., was appointed to replace him. His dismissal comes amid a funding cut for DHS that began Feb. 14, when Democrats sought to negotiate new immigration enforcement policies within the agency to reverse what they said were overreaches.

“Nothing,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said Thursday when asked if his departure changes DHS funding dynamics. “Not until we get clear assurance that the behavior of ICE and CBP will improve and that they will start acting like real police officers and not running around like a bunch of thugs and crazy people.”

Democrats demanded sweeping changes at DHS after federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens during a crackdown on immigrants in Minneapolis in January. Democrats held their ground after the United States entered conflict with Iran over the weekend, raising concerns of retaliation from Iran and its supporters.

They called on federal immigration officials to stop wearing masks, start wearing body cameras and end warrantless searches, among other things. The White House and Republicans pushed back on those demands as the partial government shutdown dragged on.

“Not much,” House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said when asked at a news conference Thursday what Democrats and Republicans could find in common.

“Because what they’re asking for is absolutely ridiculous,” McClain said.

On Thursday, a majority of Senate Democrats blocked a proposal to fund DHS for the third time. The House was scheduled to vote on DHS funding on Thursday as negotiations between the White House and Democrats continue.

Mullin, a staunch Trump ally who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, will need to be confirmed by his Senate colleagues before assuming a permanent post. Trump said Mullin will take over on March 31.

“Good riddance,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-Y., said of Noem. Video sent to X. “But the problems at DHS go much deeper than just one person. They need to rein in ICE and end the violence.”

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee and a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policy, echoed Schumer’s sentiments.

“I’m glad he’s gone. He was incompetent and terrible for the country. But he wasn’t responsible. Stephen Miller was responsible, and that doesn’t change,” Murphy told reporters on Thursday, referring to Trump’s deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser.