Dems seek to grill Kristi Noem on DHS handcuffing Nadler aide
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Kristi Noem speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Jasionka, Poland on May 27. Photo: ALEX BRANDON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are pressing their Republican counterparts for a hearing with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem after an aide to Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) was handcuffed by a DHS officer.
Why it matters: Nadler and Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) are arguing that the staffer's detention was not an isolated event.
- "Sadly, this incident is part of a broader pattern by President Donald J. Trump and DHS of using unlawful, chaotic, and reckless tactics," they wrote in a letter to Judiciary chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
- "We therefore urge you to bring the Secretary of the DHS, Kristi Noem, before our Committee immediately to answer our questions about her agency's irresponsible and dangerous actions."
What happened: DHS officers handcuffed one of Nadler's aides at his district office in New York City last Wednesday and accused his staff of "harboring rioters."
- A DHS spokesperson said the officers were there to "ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present" and that the staffer "became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office."
- Nadler said in a CNN interview on Monday that DHS was "upset that some of my staff members were watching them grab immigrants emerging from an immigration court in the same building" and "invited some of the observers up to my office."
- The staffer was ultimately released, and no charges were filed.
Zoom out: To Democrats, the incident is part of a clear string of the Trump administration using force against other branches of government to carry out their deportation efforts.
- Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was indicted for allegedly helping an undocumented defendant avoid arrest.
- Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) is also being prosecuted for assault on a police officer over a scuffle with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers outside an ICE facility in Newark last month.
- Both officials have denied wrongdoing and argued the Trump administration is attempting to intimidate those who stand in the way of his immigration policies.
Yes, but: Jordan is a hardline conservative and one of Trump's most steadfast allies in Congress. He has spoken highly of the administration's efforts to round up undocumented immigrants en masse.
- He and other Republicans are investigating the mayor of Nashville for signing an executive order requiring local agencies to report communications with ICE officials in an effort to track ICE's actions.
- A spokesperson for Jordan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
