House Democrats delivered President Donald Trump an ultimatum on Tuesday: remove Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem or prepare for impeachment proceedings.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), along with his top deputies, warned the 79-year-old president that Noem must be held accountable for what they described as deadly and abusive fallout from the administration’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts — citing the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, among other incidents, according to Axios.
In a letter to Trump, Democratic leaders accused the administration of using public resources to fuel violence and intimidation.
“Taxpayer dollars are being weaponized by the Trump administration to kill American citizens, brutalize communities and violently target immigrant families,” the letter said.
They demanded immediate changes at the Department of Homeland Security, warning that Noem’s removal is the only acceptable first step.
“The violence unleashed on the American people by the Department of Homeland Security must end forthwith,” the letter continued. “Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.”
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” the lawmakers added.
Calls to impeach Noem have grown louder, though Republicans have not signaled support for such a move. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) is leading the articles of impeachment effort, but she has not said whether she would force a vote on her own.
