Hakeem Jeffries slams Noem's exit as 'good riddance' but demands ICE reforms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has welcomed the removal of Kristi Noem from her role at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). President Trump replaced her with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a former House colleague who served alongside Jeffries for five terms before moving to the Senate in 2023. Jeffries called Noem's departure 'good riddance' and labelled her tenure a 'disaster' for the agency.
Jeffries made it clear that a change in leadership alone would not satisfy Democratic demands. He insisted on broader policy reforms within the DHS, including stricter oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Among the proposed changes are new body camera requirements for federal immigration officers, a ban on face masks during operations, and stricter warrant rules for home invasions and arrests.
The Democrats' push aims to align ICE's procedures with those of other US law enforcement agencies. Jeffries stressed that personnel shifts would not soften these demands. He also declined to discuss his past working relationship with Mullin, though he acknowledged the senator's appointment without opposition.
Despite Mullin's nomination on March 5, 2026, no evidence suggests it has altered his prior political cooperation with Jeffries. The minority leader now indicates a willingness to negotiate DHS funding directly with the White House, bypassing cabinet-level officials like Mullin.
The DHS now faces pressure to implement reforms that mirror standard law enforcement practices. Jeffries' stance signals that Democrats will continue pushing for policy changes regardless of leadership adjustments. The focus remains on stricter accountability and operational transparency within ICE.
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