House Democrats Introduce Articles of Impeachment Against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2026 — A group of House Democrats led by Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois formally introduced three articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday, Jan. 14, accusing her of obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust and self-dealing.
The resolution, co-sponsored by nearly 70 Democrats, stems from the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis last week during an enforcement operation. It also cites broader allegations related to Noem’s oversight of aggressive immigration crackdowns in cities including Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, as well as claims of improper contract awards and denial of congressional access to detention facilities.
The articles charge that Noem violated her constitutional oath by obstructing congressional oversight, including refusing lawmakers entry to ICE facilities; directed or tolerated unconstitutional actions, such as warrantless arrests and excessive force against U.S. citizens; and abused her office for personal benefit by steering a $200 million ICE recruitment advertising contract to a firm run by the husband of a senior DHS official and close associate.
Representative Kelly described the move as a necessary response to what she called systemic violations of rights and the rule of law under Noem’s leadership. “Secretary Noem has violated her oath of office, and there will be consequences,” Kelly said at a press conference. “The American people are watching, and they are not liking what they are seeing.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has not endorsed the effort, describing Noem as “completely and totally unqualified” but questioning whether impeachment is the most effective path forward. Some centrist Democrats have expressed reservations, arguing that forcing a vote in the Republican-controlled House could harm vulnerable members ahead of the November midterms.
The resolution is unlikely to advance in the current Congress, where Republicans hold the majority and can block it. Impeachment requires a simple majority in the House to approve articles, followed by a Senate trial requiring a two-thirds vote for conviction and removal. A similar effort in 2024 by Republicans to impeach then-Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stalled in the Senate.
Noem, a former South Dakota governor confirmed as DHS secretary in January 2025, has defended the administration’s enforcement actions as necessary to combat illegal immigration and crime. A department spokesperson dismissed the impeachment push as “performative” and politically motivated, asserting that Noem is focused on protecting American communities.
The incident in Minneapolis has intensified scrutiny of federal immigration operations, with local officials and protesters calling for accountability. Video evidence and witness accounts have contradicted initial DHS characterizations of Good as a “domestic terrorist” who attempted to run over agents.
The impeachment articles represent the latest flashpoint in a series of controversies surrounding the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which have included large-scale deployments of ICE and Border Patrol agents to urban areas. Democrats have framed the effort as a step toward accountability, even if symbolic in the current political environment, and a potential blueprint should they regain control of the House.
The resolution remains pending, with no immediate vote scheduled. Congressional leaders from both parties continue to negotiate fiscal 2026 funding for the Department of Homeland Security amid broader partisan divides over enforcement priorities.
This account is based on statements from lawmakers, press releases and reports from major news organizations as of Jan. 15, 2026. The situation may evolve as additional co-sponsors emerge or leadership takes a formal position.
