More than two dozen House Democrats have declined to co-sponsor a resolution seeking to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Why It Matters
The impeachment push reflects Democrats’ growing backlash to the Trump administration’s federal immigration enforcement — and to high-profile incidents tied to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and DHS operations.
But the effort also underscores divisions inside the Democratic caucus over tactics: whether symbolic impeachment pressure helps rein in DHS, or risks becoming a political message vote in a GOP-controlled House.
What To Know
The resolution, H.Res. 996, was introduced on January 14, 2026, by Representative Robin L. Kelly, a Democrat representing Illinois’ 2nd District, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee on the same day.
It accuses Noem of constitutional and statutory violations and misuse of funds, placing immigration enforcement and executive accountability at the center of a likely partisan showdown.
As of February 4, 2026, 187 House Democrats had been listed as cosponsors to the resolution, all from the Democratic caucus, in addition to Kelly as the sponsor.
A resolution in Congress is a legislative measure used to express the views of one or both chambers, set internal rules, or address limited matters, but it does not have the force of law unless passed by both chambers and signed by the president.
According to Kelly’s office, support built after two fatal incidents in Minneapolis—first the shooting of Renee Nicole Good and later ICU nurse Alex Pretti—amid broader disputes about warrantless arrests, detention of U.S. citizens, and use of force cited in the articles of impeachment.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a statement: “DHS enforces the laws Congress passes, period. If certain members don’t like those laws, changing them is literally their job. While ICE officers are facing a staggering 1,300% spike in assaults, too many politicians would rather defend criminals and attack the men and women who are enforcing our laws and did nothing while Joe Biden facilitated an invasion of tens of millions of illegal aliens into our country. It’s time they focus on protecting the American people, the work this Department is doing every day under Secretary Noem’s leadership.”
GovTrack and Congress.gov both show the resolution in the “Introduced” stage, with formal consideration controlled by the House Judiciary Committee.
Full List of Democrats Not Backing Noem Impeachment
Representative Pete Aguilar of California
Representative Sanford Bishop of Georgia
Representative Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick of Florida
Representative Katherine Clark of Massachusetts
Representative Jim Costa of California
Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas
Representative Sharice Davids of Kansas
Representative Don Davis of North Carolina
Representative Jared Golden of Maine
Representative Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire
Representative Adam Gray of California
Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York
Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio
Representative Ted Lieu of California
Representative Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island
Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet of Michigan
Representative Jared Moskowitz of Florida
Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland
Representative David Scott of Georgia
Representative Bradley Schneider of Illinois
Representative Emilia Sykes of Ohio
Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington
Representative Marc Veasey of Texas
What People Are Saying
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News last month: “Well, these radicals are attacking me, but I’m just doing my job. I’m following the law, enforcing the laws like President Trump promised that he would do, to keep people safe in this country.”
Democratic Representative Robin Kelly said in an earlier press release: “Kristi Noem has blood on her hands. Under her watch, at least six people have been killed by her rogue agents, including Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis and Silverio Villegas González in Chicago. Each time, Secretary Noem lied to our faces and tried to justify the murder of innocent lives. People are disgusted by her.”
Democratic co-sponsor Representative Derek Tran of California said: “The nonfeasance by the Trump Administration to rein in ICE’s rogue, inhumane conduct is a betrayal of the American people and our fundamental values. No one is above the law, especially those who are entrusted with enforcing it.
“DHS Secretary Noem has repeatedly failed to lead the agency with transparency and accountability. I have no confidence that DHS can be trusted to protect the American people under Secretary Noem’s leadership. If President Trump won’t fire her, then Congress must remove the Secretary from her position, and the veil of secrecy surrounding ICE’s brutal tactics must be stripped away by a full independent inquiry.”
What Happens Next
Even with significant Democratic support, the effort faces long odds in a Republican-controlled House, and conviction would require a two‑thirds vote in the Senate.
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