Representative Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat, says colleagues who won’t sign onto a push to impeach Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem are “almost complicit” in what she describes as escalating abuses tied to federal immigration enforcement.
More than 100 Democrats have co-sponsored a resolution introduced by Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois seeking articles of impeachment against Noem. The measure, filed earlier this month, lists three alleged grounds: 1) “Obstruction of Congress,” 2) “Violation of Public Trust,” and 3) “Self-Dealing.”
“I think it’s important to do what is right. It is always a good time to do what is, right, and I want to signal to my constituents, as well as the rest of the country, that there is a significant problem with this particular DHS secretary,” Crockett told Newsweek in a Thursday interview, explaining why she signed on.
Why It Matters
The fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent identified as Jonathan E. Ross in Minneapolis on January 7—along with an intensifying ICE crackdown nationwide—has fueled criticism and scrutiny of federal agents’ conduct. Noem, President Donald Trump, and their allies have pushed back, arguing the agent acted in self-defense and defending ICE operations as law enforcement aimed at crime and public safety.
Even with growing backlash, the impeachment push faces steep odds. Democrats do not control the House, and conviction in the Senate would require a two-thirds vote—an even higher bar in a chamber currently controlled by Republicans.
What to Know
Crockett said the effort matters even if it’s unlikely to succeed in the current Congress. She also rejected what she called the “nothing’s going to happen” argument offered by lawmakers who won’t sign on.
“When you have people that are being killed in broad daylight, if your only excuse for not signing on is nothing’s gonna happen, then it almost gives a permission structure. It is almost complicit in these actions. We still have democracy, at least some portions of it at this point,” Crockett said.
She acknowledged the uphill battle but argued that long-shot efforts can still produce results—pointing to recent wins she said Democrats helped drive.
“Do I think it will happen? Probably not, but maybe, right? Because we also didn’t think that we would end up getting a three-year tax subsidy for the Affordable Care Act passed out of the House. But because Democrats led on this issue, we were able to do it,” she said. “We also didn’t think that we would ever get the entire House to vote on the Epstein files…but we were able to do it, right? And so I will say, never say never.”
Crockett added that Democrats have to show voters they’re actively resisting what they view as wrongdoing—especially if they want to keep their base engaged.
“We’ve just got to make sure that our base knows that we are fighting for them and that we see the wrong that is happening. If we sit around and act like it’s business as usual, then I think that that’s where you end up seeing Democrats saying, ‘You know what, what is the point? I’m going to just stay home because there’s no difference between the parties.’ That is when people get disillusioned,” she said.
Articles of Impeachment Against Kristi Noem
Kelly introduced the impeachment articles against Noem for “high crimes and misdemeanors” on January 14.
The articles allege Noem blocked congressional oversight of ICE and DHS facilities, and directed ICE to “make widespread warrantless arrests, forgo due process, and use violence against United States citizens, lawful residents, and other individuals.” A third article claims she used her office to bypass federal contracting rules and steer federal funds toward associates’ businesses.
At a press conference, Kelly accused Noem of unleashing what she called a “reign of terror” across multiple cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis, and urged Congress to move forward with impeachment.
“Secretary Noem has called my impeachment effort ‘silly.’ I want to tell her right now: You have violated your oath of office and there will be consequences. I am watching you. The American people are watching you. And most of all, we are not liking what we are seeing. If you believe impeachment is ‘silly,’ then you are not taking your job or our Constitution seriously,” Kelly said.
What People Are Saying
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a Thursday email: “DHS is a law enforcement agency—enforcing the rule of law passed by Congress. If members don’t like the law, it is quite literally their job to change it. As ICE officers are facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults against them, politicians are more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually removing criminals from our streets. We hope these members get serious about doing their job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem.”
Democratic Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota previously told Newsweek: “DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is out of control and is not following the law. She’s not following the law. Her agents aren’t following the law as they are, you know, detaining immigrants in our community, detaining U.S. citizens in our community and not following the law in allowing duly elected members of Congress to perform our congressional oversight jobs here in Minnesota.”
What Happens Next
It’s unclear when the impeachment articles could move forward in the House, but they’re widely viewed as unlikely to advance under current political conditions. Meanwhile, protests against ICE and the Trump administration are expected to continue in Minnesota and in other parts of the country.
