Ilhan Omar demands Kristi Noem’s removal, says Democrats 'ready to impeach her'

Ilhan Omar accused Kristi Noem of turning Minneapolis into an 'occupation,' where residents feared leaving home
Rep Ilhan Omar called for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, blaming her for aggressive federal immigration enforcement and the deadly shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis (Getty Images)
Rep Ilhan Omar called for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, blaming her for aggressive federal immigration enforcement and the deadly shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis (Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Ilhan Omar called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s firing, blaming her for the ongoing federal immigration enforcement and deadly shootings in Minneapolis.

Omar’s demand comes as House Democrats rallied outside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, DC, urging Noem’s removal or impeachment following the fatal shootings of two US citizens during an ICE operation in the city.

What did Ilhan Omar say during the rally outside ICE headquarters?

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks alongside the Congressional Hispanic Caucus during a rally outside of the ICE Headquarters on February 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called for the impeachment of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
US Rep Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks alongside the Congressional Hispanic Caucus during a rally outside of the ICE Headquarters on February 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called for the impeachment of US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

At a rally outside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters, Omar condemned what she described as the reckless actions of federal immigration forces in Minneapolis.

Omar called for Noem’s removal, saying, “When we say it is time for Kristi Noem to go, we mean it now,” and urged accountability for Stephen Miller, whom she described as "the architect of the terror we are facing in Minneapolis, and so many other cities, which is Stephen Miller."

She concluded by thanking supporters and renewing broader demands for change: “Thank you for joining the call to get ICE out of our cities, to dismantle this department that is not just rogue but unlawful,” and warned "And yes, obviously, if Kristi Noem does not resign and the president doesn’t fire her, Democrats are ready and willing to impeach her.”

Ilhan Omar accuses Kristi Noem of turning Minneapolis into an 'occupation'

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus rally outside of the ICE Headquarters on February 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called for the impeachment of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus rally outside of the ICE Headquarters on February 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called for the impeachment of US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Before calling for Noem’s removal, Ilhan Omar accused the ICE operation overseen by Noem of turning Minneapolis into an “occupation.”

“I represent Minneapolis, which is currently under occupation,” Omar told the crowd. "We do not exaggerate when we say we have schools where two thirds of the students are afraid to go to school. We do not exaggerate when we say we have people who are afraid to go to the hospital because our hospitals have occupying paramilitary forces."

“We do not exaggerate when we say our restaurants are shutting down because there are not enough people to drive the employees to work and from work. We do not exaggerate when I say we have people who are housing other people because they are afraid to go home,” she continued.

The congresswoman also referenced the deaths of two constituents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations, saying the president had “maligned their names and told us not to believe our eyes.”

Who are the other Dems calling for Kristi Noem’s firing?

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, delivers remarks during an event with President Donald Trump on natural disaster preparedness in the Oval Office at the White House on June 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump said he wants to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and return its function to the state level. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, delivers remarks during an event with President Donald Trump on natural disaster preparedness in the Oval Office at the White House on June 10, 2025 in Washington, DC ( Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Not only Omar, but other Democratic members of Congress also called out Noem as they rallied outside the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters.

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM‑03), chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, accused ICE of abusive detention practices.

“In detention centers, women report being shackled and chained while miscarrying, women denied prenatal care..,” she said. “One woman in detention was even repeatedly assaulted by an agent who would let her see photos with her daughter ‘in exchange.’ Kristi Noem is the ringleader of this campaign of cruelty. She has to go. It’s a matter of life or death for women."

U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-CA) joins the Congressional Hispanic Caucus rally outside of the ICE Headquarters on February 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called for the impeachment of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
US Rep Sam Liccardo (D-CA) joins the Congressional Hispanic Caucus rally outside of the ICE Headquarters on February 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called for the impeachment of US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

“We all know Liam Conejo Ramos’ name. We don’t know the names of the 3,800 other children detained by ICE,” said Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA‑16). “We know about the horrific shooting of two American citizens in Minneapolis. What don’t we know that isn’t being filmed?"

“In my own community, in communities across the country, people have died under DHS’s watch—Kristi is the one who ought to be ashamed,” said Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ‑10). “I have seen with my own eyes the brutal cruelty of the ICE facilities that she has tried to keep members of Congress out of, and I know enough to say that Noem must go.”

RELATED TOPICS MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING FALLOUT

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Washington and Beijing agreed on preferential tariff treatment for $30 billion in non-sensitive goods each way after the leaders' three-day summit
24 minutes ago
President Trump renewed his call to bar critical media outlets after a judge ruled his earlier ban likely unconstitutional
2 hours ago
Immigration enforcement is entering a new phase as the Trump administration prepares to expand the federal workforce behind its deportation drive
2 hours ago
At the UN General Assembly this week, Trump said his administration was seeking a 'fundamental change in the situation in Cuba'
10 hours ago
In their letter, the lawmakers argued that Vladimir Putin’s attendance could legitimize and normalize Russia while its war in Ukraine continues
12 hours ago
Former President Bill Clinton recalled his frustration with media coverage during his presidency while defending constitutional protections for White House reporters
12 hours ago
The ruling leaves Missouri using its 2022 congressional boundaries after Republicans had already used the new map in August primaries
12 hours ago
The White House said the cuts target what the Office of Management and Budget described as 'the most harmful government spending'
13 hours ago
The White House’s guidance shared on Friday regarding Trump’s Saturday schedule did not list CNN in the television pool for the Tennessee trip
14 hours ago
Trump doubts Iran will meet his demands and reportedly told aides he expects US bombing operations to resume after the November midterm elections
14 hours ago