A growing number of House Democrats are backing a formal impeachment effort against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent during an operation in Minneapolis. What began as a call from a small group of lawmakers has expanded to include members from across the party’s ideological spectrum, reflecting broader questions about federal authority, accountability, and the scope of immigration enforcement.
Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) announced she is pursuing impeachment on three grounds, stating, “Secretary Kristi Noem is an incompetent leader, a disgrace to our democracy, and I am impeaching her for obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and self-dealing.” Kelly said the administration’s immigration policies have had nationwide consequences, remarking, “From Chicago to Charlotte to Los Angeles to Minneapolis, Secretary Noem is violating the Constitution while ruining—and ending—lives, and separating families.” She added that while policy disagreements can be debated, “it’s impeachable to break the rule of law,” and emphasized, “I told my constituents and Chicagoans that I would fight against Secretary Noem’s agenda. This is me fighting back.”
Calls for impeachment have moved beyond the party’s progressive wing. House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) cited what he described as a “rising clamor” for oversight following what he called a “nightmare” in Minneapolis. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), chair of the New Democrat Coalition, said Noem “must resign or be removed,” and indicated he would support impeachment proceedings if President Donald Trump does not act.
The controversy centers on the death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman who was killed during an ICE operation after allegedly using her vehicle to interfere with federal agents. Randy Clark, a 32-year law enforcement veteran, wrote that the shooting aligned with ICE’s 2023 Use of Force policy, which allows deadly force when an officer has a reasonable belief of imminent danger. Clark said preliminary video evidence showing the movement of Good’s vehicle toward the agent is consistent with policy standards requiring force to be “objectively reasonable” from the perspective of an officer on the scene, and noted that the policy does not require officers to exhaust alternative measures when no safe or feasible option exists.
Secretary Noem defended the agent’s actions, stating that Good used her vehicle as a weapon and posed a threat to federal officers. She described the incident as an act of “domestic terrorism” and said the investigation falls under federal jurisdiction, rejecting assertions that state or local authorities should lead the inquiry. A DHS spokesperson said assaults against ICE officers have increased sharply, citing a 1,300 percent rise in attacks.
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL), who began calling for impeachment in December 2025, accused Noem of misusing federal funds, obstructing congressional oversight, and violating ethical and legal standards. She has also criticized Noem’s handling of deportations and the use of chemical agents in cities operating under court restrictions. After the Minneapolis shooting, Ramirez told Axios, “The world has changed. A white woman, a mother of three, was shot in the face and killed,” adding that she had “heard directly from a number of [swing-district members]” who now say, “we’ve got to do something, she’s got to go.” Ramirez predicted, “You’re going to hear more and more people” calling for Noem’s removal.
Several House Democrats have joined Kelly in supporting impeachment articles, including Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Sean Casten (D-IL), and Betty McCollum (D-MN). Others have urged caution. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) questioned Noem’s credibility and called for an independent investigation involving Minnesota authorities, arguing that “Minnesota has a right” to participate and criticizing Noem for labeling the woman a domestic terrorist “without any evidence for that.” Schiff said Noem is “a reckless mouthpiece for the administration.” Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) said the administration’s approach has emphasized aggression over deescalation, stating the shooting “was inevitable” under an approach that “turns everything into a war in which violence and testosterone and aggression are the only solutions.”
Some Democrats have declined to support impeachment at this stage. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) said he would not back articles of impeachment without a completed investigation, explaining he does not support “jumping immediately to impeachment without having done an investigation first.” Rep. John Mannion (D-NY) called for “hearings, a thorough investigation,” while Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) rejected impeachment outright, saying simply, “No.”
With Republicans holding the House majority, Democratic leaders have acknowledged the procedural challenges ahead. “We can’t do any hearings without Republican support,” Raskin said. The debate is unfolding as DHS continues a separate investigation into alleged childcare fraud in Minnesota, where federal agents are examining dozens of facilities accused of misusing federal funds. Secretary Noem highlighted that probe days before the shooting, stating that “Homeland Security Investigations @ICEGov are on the ground in Minneapolis right now conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud,” and posted videos of agents inspecting suspected sites.
Democrats always attacking the people who are a threat to them! The video is out there and the Democrats are silent! So,STFU and start doing something but obstructing this administration!