Dem
47
GOP
53
It is unusual for the House minority to investigate anyone, but House Democrats intend to start investigating DHS Secretary Kristi Noem next week. Since they don't have subpoena power, any witnesses they line up will have to come of their own free will.
The top three House Democrats issued a statement reading "The violence unleashed on the American people by the Department of Homeland Security must end forthwith. Kristi Noem should be fired immediately, or we will commence impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives." If the Democrats conclude that Noem has abused her power or broken the law, they will ask for a vote on a privileged motion to impeach her. That will force a floor vote. Most likely it will fail along party lines, because any Republican who voted for it would incur Donald Trump's wrath and likely be out of a job next January. There is a very teeny weeny small chance that one or two of the 24 Republicans who have already announced that they are going to retire will vote for it to go out with a bang. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is also a possibility; he hates Trump, he is a Libertarian at heart who hates government overreach, and he's apparently bulletproof. One retiring Republican senator, Thom Tillis (R-NC), has called for Noem to resign. So far he is the first Republican senator to call for her resignation.
So far, more than 160 House Democrats have co-signed a resolution to impeach Noem. And while the chances of success are low, even a failure accomplishes three things. First, it shows the Democratic base that the Party is actually trying to do something, but they need three more seats to pull it off, so please vote in November. Second, it puts all House Republicans on record supporting Noem. If she is even less popular in November than she is now, that could decide some close races. Third, it could put Noem on notice that her tenure is hanging by a thread. Impeachment would be embarrassing, but it is unlikely that two-thirds of the Senate will vote to convict her. But if ICE kills a few more American citizens, that could change. She might even get the message and instruct ICE officers to stop killing people. Though, to be honest, her limit is probably "stop killing white people." It is doubtful she will put a stop to the killing of undocumented immigrants, or even the killing of brown U.S. citizens who speak Spanish.
A number of Democrats from swing districts are reporting that their constituents want Noem impeached. For example, Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) said his office lines have been flooded with constituents calling to demand Noem be impeached. Even Blue Dog Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) said that Noem must resign. (V)