Overview

• Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testified before the House Homeland Security Committee about the department's 2026 budget and immigration enforcement strategies.
• Democrats, led by Rep. Bennie Thompson, criticized Noem for focusing on photo ops and public appearances instead of addressing substantive issues at DHS.
• Noem defended her record, claiming 'total operational control' of the southern border and highlighting the deportation of over 250 known terrorists since President Trump took office.
• Accusations surfaced regarding wrongful deportations, including children with serious health conditions and U.S. citizen children, which Noem denied violated due process.
• Noem condemned an incident at a New Jersey detention center, accusing three Democratic lawmakers of assaulting law enforcement during an unauthorized entry attempt.