Scoop: Kristi Noem added to Dems' impeachment target list
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DHS Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at a press conference in Washington on Nov. 18. Photo: Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) is pressing the House Judiciary Committee to begin impeachment hearings into Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: House Democrats are increasingly turning to impeachment as their go-to cudgel against not only President Trump himself, but many of his Cabinet officials.
- Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) filed articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week on a litany of charges mostly related to his efforts to roll back public health measures.
- Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) filed articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week over Signalgate and a reported double-tap strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in the Caribbean.
Driving the news: In a letter to Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Ramirez demanded a "complete investigation into Secretary Noem's unlawful and potentially impeachable actions."
- The letter accuses Noem of "unethical behavior," pointing to reports that a firm tied to the DHS secretary allegedly received DHS contract money and that the Coast Guard spent $172 million to buy her two private jets.
- It also alleges she made "false and misleading" statements to Congress about DHS and ICE operations and accuses her of undermining the separation of powers by ignoring court orders.
What they're saying: "Secretary Noem has established a clear pattern of lawless behavior, mirrored in the behavior of rank and file members of her leadership team," Ramirez wrote.
- "When taken together, her actions violate her oath of office."
The other side: A DHS spokesperson accused Ramirez of being "more focused on showmanship than actual policy work," adding, "We hope she would get serious about doing her job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem."
Reality check: Republicans are highly unlikely to accede to her request, with Jordan spokesperson Russell Dye telling Axios: "This might be the most ridiculous and toothless letter ever written."
- A spokesperson for Raskin declined to immediately comment. DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
