Kristi Noem Faces Intense Scrutiny at Homeland Security Hearing

Thu Dec 11 2025 20:39:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is expected to face rigorous questioning from Democrats as she testifies about immigration policies and enforcement practices in a hearing on worldwide threats.

During a highly anticipated hearing, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will be questioned about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics, which have led to increased tensions and controversies. With a surge in immigration detention and new legislative funding backing her department's agenda, Noem’s appearance is crucial amid scrutiny from Congress over various immigration-related issues, including allegations of detaining American citizens and handling of deportations.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, leading the agency at the forefront of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda, is set to testify before Congress on Thursday. She is expected to endure rigorous questioning, particularly from Democratic lawmakers who are scrutinizing the administration's hard-line approach to immigration.

Her upcoming testimony comes after months of controversy surrounding federal immigration enforcement, particularly in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, where her department's tactics have sparked significant clashes with activists and advocates.

Noem's scheduled appearance is before the House Committee on Homeland Security, which typically discusses matters like cybersecurity, terrorism, and border security. With only a handful of congressional appearances as the head of Homeland Security focused on immigration, her testimony will likely draw considerable attention on this hot-button issue.

Since Trump's return to power in January, he has asserted a mandate to overhaul U.S. immigration policies, advocating a narrative of national invasion that has intensified enforcement measures. The number of individuals in immigration detention facilities has surged, prompting the administration to escalate deportation efforts, including erroneous actions against American citizens, who have been caught up in aggressive enforcement tactics.

The hearing is a platform for members of Congress to pose questions to key officials about the threats facing the country and how agencies are addressing these challenges. With Congress allocating approximately $165 billion to the Department of Homeland Security for its immigration enforcement initiatives, including hiring 10,000 new deportation officers and completing the U.S.-Mexico border wall, the stakes are high.

Noem's testimony also coincides with ongoing investigations into her department's actions, such as a federal judge contemplating contempt charges related to flights transporting migrants to El Salvador. Lawmakers from the Democratic party are expected to confront Noem on accusations of erroneous detentions and other controversial enforcement practices while discussing legislative coverage of ICE detention facilities.

Also attending will be Joseph Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and Michael Glasheen from the FBI’s national security branch, indicating that the discussions will cover broader national security issues alongside immigration.

Amid previous hearings which addressed various topics ranging from cybersecurity to geographical security concerns, the spotlight remains tightly focused on the impact of current immigration policies under the Trump administration as Noem prepares for one of her most challenging congressional appearances yet.