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By Andrew Stanton
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According to recent polling, most Americans disapprove of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as Democrats continue to push for her impeachment.
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Noem is facing impeachment calls from House Democrats concerned about her handling of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as President Donald Trump’s administration has ramped up immigration enforcement over recent weeks.
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The agency has faced scrutiny following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, by an ICE agent in Minnesota earlier in January as well as reports about their tactics that have raised eyebrows.
What to Know
The articles of impeachment were introduced by Representative Robin Kelly, an Illinois Democrat, in the wake of Good's fatal shooting. A DHS spokesperson previously dismissed the impeachment efforts as "silly," however more than 50 Democratic members of Congress have signed onto the effort.
Meanwhile, three new polls shed light onto how Americans view Noem.
A new poll from YouGov showed that 28 percent of Americans view Noem favorably, compared to 40 percent who view her unfavorably. An additional 32 percent say they don’t know how they feel about Noem.
DHS as a whole was viewed favorably by 39 percent of respondents and unfavorably by 45 percent of respondents, according to the poll, which surveyed 1,122 adults from January 13-15.
Meanwhile, an Emerson College poll found that 38 percent of Americans view Noem favorably and that 45 percent view her unfavorably. It surveyed 1,000 Americans from January 17-19 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
An Angus Reid Institute poll found that only 32 percent of Americans approve of Noem, while 48 percent disapprove of her job performance. It surveyed 1,838 Americans from January 16-20 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
In her articles of impeachment, Kelly alleged that Noem blocked congressional oversight of ICE and DHS facilities and directed the agency to “make widespread warrantless arrests, forgo due process, and use violence against United States citizens, lawful residents, and other individuals.”
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What People Are Saying
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a Thursday email: "DHS is a law enforcement agency—enforcing the rule of law passed by Congress. If members don't like the law, it is quite literally their job to change it. As ICE officers are facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults against them, politicians are more focused on showmanship and fundraising clicks than actually removing criminals from our streets. We hope these members get serious about doing their job to protect American people, which is what this Department is doing under Secretary Noem."
Representative Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat, previously told Newsweek: "When you have people that are being killed in broad daylight, if your only excuse for not signing on is nothing's gonna happen, then it almost gives a permission structure. It is almost complicit in these actions. We still have democracy, at least some portions of it at this point.”
Representative Angie Craig, a Minnesota Democrat, previously told Newsweek: "DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is out of control and is not following the law. She's not following the law. Her agents aren't following the law as they are, you know, detaining immigrants in our community, detaining U.S. citizens in our community and not following the law in allowing duly elected members of Congress to perform our congressional oversight jobs here in Minnesota."
What Happens Next
Impeachment articles face difficult odds in the House of Representatives as Republicans currently control the majority and have not signaled support for Noem's impeachment. In the Senate, where the GOP also has a majority, a conviction would require two-thirds support.
Polymarket betting odds show only a 15 percent chance that Noem will be impeached this year. Meanwhile, heightened immigration enforcement continues in states like Maine and Minnesota.
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