Kristi Noem
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Democrats responded to Kristi Noem's removal as Homeland Security secretary with calls for investigations, possible impeachment and, in some cases, criminal prosecution, arguing that her departure does not resolve allegations tied to her tenure.
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said a "reckoning" was still needed, citing deaths, civil-rights violations and corruption under her leadership. "We need a reckoning with the fact that there were murders that took place under her watch," Raskin told NBC News.
Raskin, who would chair the House Judiciary Committee if Democrats regain the majority in November, told NBC News that the Department of Homeland Security needed "a cleaning of house" and "a repudiation of all of these terrible policies of corruption, cover-up, lying and authoritarian violence against citizens and immigrants."
During Noem's second day of questioning by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Raskin accused the now-fired Secretary of engaging in a "cover-up" related to two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this year and criticized her for publicly describing the Renee Good and Alex Pretti as "domestic terrorists" shortly after the incidents occurred.
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Rep. Ted Lieu of California also told NBC News on Friday that Democrats would investigate Noem further:
"She abused her power. She engaged in corruption. She spent millions of taxpayer funds on a luxury jet fleet with beautiful bedrooms, and her masked federal agents killed Americans. We'll definitely investigate anyone within DHS who violated criminal law"
Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut echoed both lawmakers, saying he would push for a perjury investigation into whether Noem lied under oath the aforementioned hearing when she denied that Corey Lewandowski, one of her top advisers, had a role in approving DHS contracts.
Blumenthal said evidence suggested Lewandowski had "personally approved contracts" and that Noem's firing did not shield her from scrutiny. "Her firing doesn't absolve her or relieve her of potential liability for perjury," he said.
Other Democrats pressed for broader consequences. Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois said Noem should still be impeached to prevent her from holding office again while Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said that "just because you're gone don't think you just get to walk away." California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote that "Firing her is not enough."
The backlash comes as Democrats continue to oppose a DHS funding bill unless the administration accepts limits on immigration enforcement. The House passed a funding measure on Thursday, but Democratic leaders said Noem's replacement would not change their position. "A change in personnel is not sufficient, we need a change in policy," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.
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Tags: Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security, Democratic Party