In a stunning development, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sounding the alarm about what she’s calling “felony behavior” by three Democrat members of Congress — all of whom reportedly forced their way into a federal immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, last week.
Noem is not mincing words. During an appearance on Fox News, she strongly condemned the actions of Rep. Rob Menendez Jr., Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Rep. LaMonica McIver, all New Jersey Democrats, saying their conduct went far beyond any legitimate oversight.
“This wasn’t oversight. This was committing felonies. This was going out and attacking people who stand up for the rule of law. And it was absolutely horrible,” Noem said.
The situation unfolded last Friday at the Delaney Hall Detention Center, where the lawmakers were supposedly making what they later claimed was an “oversight visit.” But according to Secretary Noem and footage reviewed by Homeland Security, that’s not what happened.
Instead, as she testified before Congress on Wednesday, Noem painted a disturbing picture of elected officials behaving like activists — or worse.
“As a vehicle approached the security gate at Delaney Hall Detention Center, a mob of protestors — including three members of Congress — stormed the gate, and they trespassed into the detention facility,” she stated.
Once inside, Noem said things escalated quickly — and dangerously.
“We have footage of those members of Congress slamming their bodies into our law enforcement officers, shoving them, screaming profanities in their faces, striking them with their fists, and otherwise assaulting law enforcement,” she said.
“The behavior was lawlessness,” Noem concluded, adding, “Members of Congress should not break into detention centers or federal facilities.”
What makes the situation even more concerning, according to Noem, is that these same lawmakers are tasked with overseeing ICE operations. One of them, Rep. McIver, actually serves on a committee meant to hold federal agencies accountable — yet she allegedly participated in physically assaulting the very officers she’s supposed to oversee.
“They shouldn’t be allowed to be on the committees that they’re on — in fact, one of them is supposed to be conducting oversight over ICE, and instead she’s assaulting them,” Noem told Fox.
“They don’t deserve to be in the House,” she added. “They should be censured by it.”
Noem also reminded lawmakers that this wasn’t just any building they barged into. The Delaney Hall facility houses some of the most dangerous individuals detained by ICE — including murderers, rapists, MS-13 gang members, drug traffickers, and known terrorists.
“These are not non-violent offenders,” Noem told the congressional committee. “The detainees are murderers, rapists, known terrorists, MS-13 gang members, drug traffickers, and other heinous actors.”
She noted that had these Democrats formally requested a tour, Homeland Security would have worked with them to arrange one — like they do all the time for other members of Congress who follow the rules.
“Members of Congress visit these centers all of the time,” she said. “There are proper protocols and there are procedures that must be abided by.”
Secretary Noem described the incident not just as unlawful, but as a calculated political stunt that endangered law enforcement officers, facility staff, and detainees alike.
“It was a political stunt that put the safety of our law enforcement officers, our agents, our staff, and our detainees at risk,” she said.
So why would these lawmakers take such a risk? And why are they now trying to reframe the event as a simple “oversight visit”?
Noem says it’s clear: this was about attacking law enforcement, undermining ICE, and making headlines ahead of the 2024 election cycle.
Secretary Noem is now calling for formal censure of the three representatives — a move that would publicly rebuke them and potentially strip them of committee assignments.
If House leadership moves forward with her recommendation, it would send a loud and clear message that no one — not even members of Congress — is above the law.
And in the eyes of many conservatives, it’s long overdue.
“I hope that the rest of the members of the House of Representatives will hold them accountable,” Noem said.
