Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, taking on questions about the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and her leadership of the agency.
Sen. Grassley opens the hearing, acknowledging DHS's mistakes
At the beginning of the hearing, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the committee’s chairman, requested the “utmost decorum” and respect from Noem, committee members, people in the audience, and witnesses.
"Mistakes have been made," Sen. Grassley said. "Let's make it clear: One death is too many. But officers should never be threatened or harmed while enforcing our laws, and there is a clear difference between conduct protected by the First Amendment and unlawful obstruction."
Sen. Durbin criticizes DHS's "respect for the rule of law"
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the committee, gave attention to the effort taken to receive Secretary Noem’s testimony during his opening remarks.
"After months of excuses and delays from Secretary Noem, we finally gather together," Durbin stated.
"Madam Secretary, under your leadership, the Homeland Security Department has been devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law," Durbin continued. "Without hesitation or remorse, DHS agents have wreaked havoc on our cities — I've seen it in the city of Chicago — and acted with unspeakable cruelty against children, immigrant families and American citizens."
During Secretary Noem’s opening statement, she affirms that since President Donald Trump’s second term, DHS has achieved "historic results and has made our communities safer,” referencing the more than 1,500 arrests of known and suspected gang members and terrorists conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Sen. Coons presses Secretary Noem on Immigration and Customs Enforcement Training
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) also pressed Secretary Noem about ICE officers’ training, referencing a recent testimony from Ryan Schwank, a former ICE lawyer and instructor, who revealed that the training process was defective.
Noem responded by assuring that ICE agents are trained for 56 days and also given 28 days of on-the-job training. Noem also shared that the format shifted from five, eight-hour days to six, 12-hour days.
