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
PUBLISHED FEB 4, 2026
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.”

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