Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Trump Finally Firing Kristi Noem

March 5, 2026 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after President Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at last:

"Kristi Noem's tenure at the Department of Homeland Security will go down as one of the most lawless, corrupt, and reckless in modern history. Time and again, she ran afoul of the law - and court orders - and put her vanity ahead of the safety of the American people. Her brazen corruption - including her cozy relationship with so-called 'special government employee' Corey Lewandowski - turned the agency responsible for protecting the homeland into a multibillion-dollar grift.

"America is less safe because of Kristi Noem's failed leadership. While the President may have finally shown her the door, accountability does not end here. Homeland Democrats will continue pursuing the truth and uncovering the full extent of the misconduct that defined her tenure. The American people deserve answers and a Department of Homeland Security worthy of their trust.

"On Kristi Noem's watch, Americans were terrorized, shot, and even killed in the streets by her masked police. Since we know that Noem was little more than a figurehead, Democrats cannot agree to fund ICE and CBP until they are reined in - under the law - and real change is made. Of course, Corey must also leave the Department.

"I doubt many of the 248,000 employees at DHS who keep us safe around the clock will be shedding a tear tonight."

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