Updated Jan. 13, 2026, 3:33 p.m. MT
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar is joining the growing chorus of voices pushing for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Noem became the focus of Democrat ire following the ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, was the first to call for Noem’s ouster — since then, the push has gained steam among House Democrats.
“The entirety of Kristi Noem’s tenure at DHS has (been) marred by the trampling of the department’s stated values of ‘integrity, vigilance, and respect,'” Escobar, D-El Paso, wrote in a statement Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Escobar laid out a litany of gripes against Noem, most notably the militarization of ICE and the Border Patrol that has led to state-sanctioned violence in American cities.
“Americans across the country have witnessed ICE and Border Patrol Agents in masks racially profiling Americans, using aggressive and often violent tactics against communities, destroying property, and violating people’s civil rights,” she wrote. “Guns have been pointed at protestors, and under Sec. Noem’s ‘leadership,’ eight people have been shot by DHS, (five) of whom were U.S. citizens, and two were killed.”
Escobar criticized Noem specifically for the shooting in Minneapolis, which found the Homeland Security secretary — along with others in President Donald Trump’s administration — working to defend the actions of an ICE agent who shot an unarmed woman and refused to render aid.
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“Instead of ensuring accountability and transparency would be at the center of a joint investigation with state officials,” Escobar wrote. “Noem immediately defended the agent, lied about what Americans saw for themselves, and attacked the victim.”
The congresswoman also took Noem to task over her role in proliferating immigrant detention facilities and denying members of Congress access and oversight.
“Her agency has been slow and frequently unwilling to respond to casework inquiries, and she has established a pattern of ignoring Congress in order to obscure what is happening within her agency from the American public,” Escobar wrote. “In 2025, 32 people died in ICE detention while she flew around the country for photo ops.”
While it’s unclear if, when or how articles of impeachment might be filed in the House, it’s unlikely the move would survive either chamber of Congress before the November midterm election. And unless Democrats secure significant wins, including control of both the House and Senate, it’s unlikely the impeachment push would move anywhere.
Still, Escobar is voicing concerns that continue to grow among Democrats as ICE hostility continues to irk communities across the country.
“Secretary Noem has weaponized a powerful federal law enforcement agency to create an environment of fear and intimidation across communities in America,” she continued. “She has been untruthful, created a poisonous culture inside DHS, and made America less safe.
“Americans should not have to live in fear of their own government,” Escobar concluded. “I support the impeachment of Kristi Noem.”
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.