House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply criticized DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, saying she should be "put on ice permanently" and reiterating that Democrats will pursue impeachment if she remains in office. A Trump administration source condemned the remark and warned that similar language from a Republican would have prompted intense backlash. Jeffries accused Noem of overseeing actions tied to deaths he associated with immigration enforcement and called her "wildly unqualified." He later clarified that his phrase meant she should be removed from her post.
Jeffries Escalates Attack on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Says She Should Be "Put On Ice Permanently" — Threatens Impeachment
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., escalated rhetoric against Kristi Noem during a news conference Thursday, arguing the DHS Secretary should be "put on ice permanently."(Fox News)
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday intensified his criticism of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, declaring she should be "put on ice permanently" and warning that House Democrats would pursue impeachment if she remains in office.
Answering questions at a news conference about whether Democrats would open impeachment proceedings should Noem not be removed, Jeffries said he had conveyed that position directly to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). "I did reiterate in my conversation with Speaker Johnson that we intend to proceed with impeachment proceedings if Kristi Noem is not fired," he said, calling Noem "a complete and total embarrassment" and "a disgrace."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Jeffries also accused Noem of overseeing policies he linked to fatal incidents involving immigrants and American citizens, naming Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti as examples. He denounced her confirmation as a mistake and rebuked Senate Republicans who approved her nomination.
"She should have never been confirmed," Jeffries said. "Shame on every Republican in the Senate who put this wildly unqualified person into a position of significance — the Department of Homeland Security — so she could unleash brutalization on everyday Americans, American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families."
Democrats have threatened to move forward with impeachment proceedings if DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is not fired by the Trump administration despite her continued support from the president.
He closed by repeating his demand for Noem's removal with the phrase that drew broad attention: "She's got to go. We are dead serious. She needs to be put on ice permanently. She's got to go." Later, in a statement shared by Fox News reporter Aishah Hasnie, Jeffries clarified: "She needs to be put on ice. It's clear, right? That means gone. G-O-N-E. From her position. Don't misinterpret anything that I've said."
Trump Administration Response
A source within the Trump administration sharply criticized Jeffries' wording, saying similar language from a Republican would have provoked intense media backlash. "Imagine if the Republican majority leader had made similar remarks about Joe Biden while he was president? The liberal media would be up in arms to charge him with inciting an assassination," the source told Fox News Digital.
They added that Jeffries' comments were "dangerous and unfathomably stupid given the culture of political violence the left has endorsed and perpetrated against conservative leaders."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Jeffries' office for further comment. When asked about the timing of his call with Speaker Johnson, Jeffries replied that it occurred "yesterday."
Context: The exchange underscores rising tensions between House Democrats and the Biden administration's DHS appointee, and highlights how heated rhetoric can quickly become a focal point for partisan reaction and media scrutiny.
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