Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was on the Hill this week for a grilling from lawmakers over the manner in which she is working to deport illegal immigrants.
The hearing was nothing more than grandstanding by Democrats who simply wanted to take a shot at Noem.
For instance, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) demanded Noem's resignation, but he also made a critical mistake that drew heat from Republicans.
Thompson, who is the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, blistered Noem as soon as she took her seat.
He stated, "You have systematically dismantled the Department of Homeland Security, put your own interests above the department, and violated the law. You are making America less safe.”
Thompson continued, “So rather than sitting here and wasting your time and ours with more corruption, lies and lawlessness, I call on you to resign. Do a real service to the country and just resign. That is, if President Trump doesn't fire you first."
As Noem started her response, protesters erupted, screaming, "Get ICE off our streets," and "Stop terrorizing our community."
In what was one of the most disgusting displays of downplaying an act of domestic terrorism that I have ever seen, while framing a question for Noem, Thompson called the attacks on our National Guard troops in D.C. that resulted in one member losing her life an “unfortunate accident.”
Noem immediately fired back, stating, “Unfortunate accident? It was a terrorist attack. He shot our Guardsmen in the head.” Thompson then cut her off, stating, “It was an unfortunate situation. But you blamed it solely on Joe Biden.”
It was not an unfortunate accident or situation; it was a blatant attack that was likely inspired by all the nasty rhetoric being thrown around by politicians in recent years.
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) jumped in to help Noem at this point, stating, “That was a murder that took place in D.C. It was not an unfortunate incident. Those comments are f–king disrespectful. I expect better from the ranking member.”
There was more controversy during the hearing when Noem alerted the committee that she was co-chairing a meeting about the future of FEMA and would have to leave the proceedings early.
Thompson is now accusing Noem of lying to Congress because the meeting had actually been canceled. It was also noted that Noem did not immediately leave the building to head to the other meeting, but hung around for a few additional minutes.
The congressman moved to subpoena Noem to come back before the committee, stating, “I understand on good information that the FEMA Council meeting was canceled, so there was no need for her to go.”
Noem’s office maintains that the secretary was unaware of the meeting cancellation until after she left the hearing. Still, we all know Democrats are not going to let this go, especially after Republicans hammered former FBI Director Christopher Wray for having left a hearing early for vacation when he was in the hot seat. Stay tuned…
