By Richard Cowan and Nolan D. McCaskill
WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) – Democratic leaders in the U.S. Congress on Tuesday called on President Donald Trump to fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “immediately” or they would try to impeach her, saying dramatic changes at the agency are needed after its agents shot two U.S. citizens.
“The violence unleashed on the American people by the Department of Homeland Security must end forthwith. Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives,” Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said in a joint statement with his top lieutenants.
Their statement came in response to recent shootings by federal immigration agents that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens with no criminal records.
The incidents sparked protests around the country and in Washington. They upended government spending talks ahead of a Friday deadline.
An existing impeachment resolution sponsored by Democratic Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois accuses Noem of obstructing Congress, violating public trust and using her post for personal gain. The measure now has 162 cosponsors.
Nevertheless, the impeachment process is a difficult one.
A majority vote in the House is required for impeachment and a two-thirds threshold in the Senate is needed to convict.
Republicans hold a 218-213 majority in the House, but Democrats can try to force a vote if they win over some Republican support. And in the Senate, Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.
Trump told reporters at the White House that Noem would not step down.
“I think she’s doing a very good job,” Trump said. “The border is totally secure.”
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said lawmakers should write new laws if they don’t like what the department is doing.
“It’s time they focus on protecting the American people, the work this Department is doing every day under Secretary Noem’s leadership,” she said in a statement.
Democratic President Joe Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was impeached in February 2024. The Senate dismissed the charges against him as unconstitutional and never held a trial.
The House impeached Trump twice during his first term when it was under Democratic control, but the Senate acquitted him both times.
(Reporting by Richard Cowan and Nolan D. McCaskill; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Andy Sullivan and David Gregorio)
