Top Democrats in Congress have requested an investigation into former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for allegedly lying under oath during recent Congressional hearings. According to multiple reports, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking members of their respective Judiciary Committees, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking an inquiry into whether Noem violated criminal statutes prohibiting perjury and making false statements.
Key Takeaways
Top Democrats have requested an investigation into former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for allegedly lying under oath during recent Congressional hearings. The lawmakers cite inconsistencies in her testimony regarding DHS contracts, immigration enforcement policies, and conditions in ICE detention centers.
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking an inquiry into Noem's testimony
- Noem claimed President Trump approved a $220 million DHS ad campaign, but Trump denied knowledge of it in a Reuters interview
- Lawmakers allege Noem lied about ICE adhering to federal detention standards and detaining American citizens
- The Department of Homeland Security denies the allegations against Noem, calling them 'categorically FALSE'
- Democrats acknowledge low expectations for the matter being pursued under the current administration
In their letter, Durbin and Raskin allege that Noem made several false claims during her testimony before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees on March 3 and 4. Among these allegations are claims about DHS contracts for a $220 million television ad campaign, statements regarding immigration enforcement policies, compliance with court orders, and conditions in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers.
Noem testified that President Trump personally approved the DHS ad campaign, which prominently featured the DHS secretary. However, according to Durbin and Raskin's letter, Trump declared in an interview with Reuters that he had no knowledge of the ad campaign. The lawmakers noted that these two statements are clearly inconsistent.
Noem also denied that special government employee Corey Lewandowski had any role approving DHS contracts or policies. Durbin and Raskin argue this statement may have been false, citing media reports indicating Lewandowski asserts approval authority over certain contracts and has signed documents related to department policy decisions.
The lawmakers further claim Noem lied about ICE adhering to federal detention standards and when she declared that the agency 'does not detain American citizens.' They cited a federal judge in Minnesota finding 210 instances of ICE violating court orders since December 2025, along with similar assertions from jurists in New Jersey and Maine.
The Department of Homeland Security has denied the allegations against Noem. A spokesperson stated that 'Any claim that Secretary Noem committed perjury are categorically FALSE.' The DOJ responded to the referral by calling it 'the latest political stunt from the Democrats who should instead vote to reopen the Department of Homeland Security,' according to a statement obtained by New York Post.
The lawmakers acknowledged in their letter that they have low expectations for the matter being pursued under the current administration, citing what they described as the partisan weaponization of the Department of Justice. They noted that the statute of limitations for such crimes is five years.
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