Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem proved during a recent hearing that she either has no idea what the United States Constitution says or does not care. Moreover, when confronted about the pitfalls of letting masked ICE agents arrest people on the street, she just repeated talking points.
Out Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX) took Noem to task over the cruel and illegal methods the agency has used to deport immigrants.
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“I have a lot of concerns about the lack of due process that your agency has been affording people in this country,” Johnson said, explaining that in Texas, Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) officials had “rounded up 171 individuals” and was preparing to deport them “until the Supreme Court issued an opinion that that was unconstitutional and that they’re due process rights were being violated.”
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She slammed Noem for needing a court decision to follow basic constitutional procedures and then asked if the agency has actually begun adhering to the Supreme Court’s decision overall and has stopped trying to deport people without due process.
Noem replied, “We are following due process and using it as to how Congress has laid out to us in statute, and we are complying with all federal judges’ orders as well.”
Johnson – the first out woman elected to Congress from the South – continued to call her out for not having complied in the first place. “You were intending to wrongfully deport people without access to a court hearing, without access to the rule of law.”
“That’s what makes our country great, is we do have access to due process.”
While Johnson spoke, Noem interrupted her to say, “Due process does not guarantee a hearing.”
The 5th and 14th amendments of the Constitution, however, guarantee just that, with due process essentially being defined as the right to a fair trial. In fact, due process was so important to the founders that it is the only mandate mentioned twice in the document.
Kristi Noem: "Due process does not guarantee a hearing."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) May 14, 2025 at 11:26 AM
During her questioning, Johnson also voiced concerns for “how ICE agents present themselves to the public,”saying they are often masked and not properly identified.
“You’re just walking down the street, and all of a sudden out of nowhere, three masked men not properly identified attack you and take you away. I find that to be reprehensible and not the values of this country.”
She asked Noem what steps she was taking to ensure ICE agents are not masked and are identifiable when they approach someone. Noem claimed they do always identify themselves and that those who are masked are also involved in undercover work.
“But don’t you think, Madame Secretary, that people have a right to see whoever is trying to apprehend them?” Johnson asked. “I think it’s creating this unrealistic vigilante system.”
She asked Noem if she knew that ICE agent jackets can be purchased on Etsy for 20 dollars. “Anybody can do that, throw a mask on and run around terrorizing people of color without any regard for the law, without any regard because your agency does not have proper protocols to make sure their agents are clearly identified and marked when they are executing their jobs,” she said.
Noem simply reiterated the points she already made.
Johnson replied, “I would suggest that your protocols need to be revised because I don’t think it’s reasonable for masked men to be apprehending people on the streets. I think that instills a lot of fear. It doesn’t instill security in the process, and in states like Texas that is open carry… I think some tragic circumstances are at bay.”
Rep. Julie Johnson to Noem: "Are you aware that ICE agent jackets are available on Etsy for $20? Anybody can throw a mask on and run around and terrorize people of color without any regard for the law because your agency does not have proper protocols to make sure your agents are clearly identified"
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) May 14, 2025 at 11:25 AM
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