Top Democrats oppose Homeland Security funding despite Noem’s departure

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Top Democratic lawmakers have opposed funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) despite President Donald Trump’s firing of its chief, Kristi Noem.

House and Senate Minority Leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer said in statements after Trump’s announcement that they would continue withholding votes for DHS legislation until more changes are made.

“Kristi Noem’s removal is only the first step towards reforming the lawless Trump DHS,” Jeffries said Thursday. “A change in personnel is not sufficient. House Democrats will continue to demand bold, meaningful and transformational changes until ICE, CBP and all DHS agencies and officers conduct themselves in a manner consistent with every law enforcement agency in the country.”

Republicans have shown frustration about their colleagues’ resistance. Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Senate Democrats, who are blocking an appropriations bill from advancing, of staging political stunts.

“We’ve sent the DHS funding, the Homeland Security funding, to the Senate, and it’s getting stopped over there because the Senate Democrats are playing games, Sean. They’re playing games with the American people, their safety and security,” Johnson told Fox News’s “Hannity.”

Democrats have demanded a list of changes to DHS immigration operations. Jeffries and Schumer wrote in a letter to Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune last month that the department needed to prohibit agents from wearing masks and use judicial warrants during enforcement activities.

“Federal immigration agents cannot continue to cause chaos in our cities while using taxpayer money that should be used to make life more affordable for working families,” the Democrats said. “The American people rightfully expect their elected representatives to take action to reign in ICE and ensure no more lives are lost.”

Trump, whose office is negotiating with Jeffries and Schumer, announced Noem’s departure on Thursday without any mention of the Democratic demands or disapproval for her performance. He said in a social media post that the secretary had achieved “spectacular results” and served the administration well.

Public opinion of DHS paints a different picture, however. A poll conducted by YouGov last week showed half of Americans in support of abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including 52% of independent voters and 23% of Republicans.

Nearly 6 in 10 Americans also registered opposition to ICE agents’ use of masks, and three-quarters of the respondents expressed support for identification requirements.

DHS’s image suffered more than in previous months following the January killings of two Minneapolis protesters, whom Noem called terrorists.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.