Kristi Noem impeachment plans ramp up
Democrats are moving to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis. On Wednesday, Democratic Congresswoman Robin Kelly of Illinois announced plans to remove Noem from office, citing her oversight of ICE operations. "Secretary Kristi Noem is an incompetent leader, a disgrace to our democracy, and I am impeaching her," said Rep. Kelly in a press release. The death of 37-year-old Good at the hands of a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis on January 7 has sparked outrage over the conduct of ICE agents. The agent allegedly involved in the incident has been identified in court records as Jonathan E. Ross.U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem looks on during a press conference at One World Trade Center on January 08, 2026 in New York City. Fol... | (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Rep. Kelly seeks to impeach Secretary Noem on three counts: obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing, citing alleged misconduct in her oversight of federal operations and use of public resources. "Secretary Noem wreaked havoc in the Chicagoland area, and now, her rogue ICE agents have unleashed that same destruction in Minneapolis, fatally shooting Renee Nicole Good," Kelly added in her release. The Department of Homeland Security said that Good was shot after she attempted to strike law enforcement with her vehicle. Under the second Trump administration, DHS has repeatedly restricted lawmakers’ access to federal immigration facilities, limiting their ability to conduct oversight. Several Democrats have publicly called for action against Secretary Noem. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez of Illinois has demanded that Noem either resign or face impeachment and has pushed for an investigation into her conduct at a congressional hearing on December 11. Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari of Arizona has joined as a cosponsor of Kelly’s impeachment articles, while Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois indicated via social media that he is willing to cosponsor the removal effort. Democratic congressional candidate Brian Varela, of New Jersey’s 7th District, has also called for Noem’s impeachment following the Minneapolis shooting. While impeachment of a Cabinet official is rare and would require significant support in the House and Senate, including some Republican backing, such a scenario is considered highly unlikely under the current party alignment. Republicans, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary Noem, have defended the ICE agent involved in the shooting of Good, describing his actions as justified. However, the incident has drawn widespread criticism from local officials, and civil rights groups, as well as Democrats, who are all calling for a full, independent investigation. The FBI is conducting the investigation into the fatal shooting. Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said the bureau initially planned to participate in a joint investigation with federal authorities, but later withdrew after the FBI declined to share evidence and investigative materials. In a statement, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said the agency "reluctantly withdrew" from the case after determining it could not proceed without full access to the evidence. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz accused the Trump administration of preventing state officials from participating in the investigation, while Vice President Vance said the matter falls under federal jurisdiction. Multiple interpretations of video footage from the scene challenge the administration’s version of events. Many are saying the footage shows Good driving away from the officer when he fired. The ICE agent was later seen on camera moving around the area without visible injuries, apparently contradicting President Trump’s claims that he had been hospitalized, while top administration officials also described Good as a domestic terrorist. A DHS spokesperson told Newsweek: "How silly during a serious time. As ICE officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, Rep. Kelly is more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually cleaning up her crime-ridden Chicago district. We hope she would get serious about doing her job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem." Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari of Arizona said in a news release: "A woman is dead. A child has been left without a parent. And the American people are once again demanding answers. What happened to Renee Good demands a full, independent, and immediate investigation. "This is what happens when a president weaponizes a federal agency against the civilian population. I am introducing legislation to rein in ICE, demand transparency, and stop the unchecked funding that enables these abuses." Congresswoman Robin Kelly of Illinois said in her press release: "From Chicago to Charlotte to Los Angeles to Minneapolis, Secretary Noem is violating the Constitution while ruining—and ending—lives, and separating families. It’s one thing to be incompetent and dangerous, but it’s impeachable to break the rule of law. I told my constituents and Chicagoans that I would fight against Secretary Noem’s agenda. This is me fighting back." The articles of impeachment would be referred to the House Judiciary Committee for review, but they are unlikely to advance given the current Republican control of the House. Meanwhile, the FBI investigation into the killing of Good continues. The news cycle is loud. Algorithms push us to extremes. 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