Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the removal of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security does little to address what he described as deeper problems within the agency, arguing that meaningful change will require a shift in policy from the White House.
Speaking with reporters outside the Capitol after President Donald Trump announced Noem’s dismissal, Schumer offered a blunt response to the news: “Good riddance.” However, he quickly added that the challenges surrounding immigration enforcement extend beyond any single official.
Schumer stated that the core issues lie within the structure and policies governing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying the problems at the agency “transcend any one person” and describing them as deeply rooted.
“The rot is deep,” Schumer stated, repeating the phrase several times throughout his exchange with reporters. He said the administration must end what he called violent enforcement tactics and bring the agency under tighter control.
Schumer Says Change In Leadership Does Not Address Core Issues At The DHS
Reporters pressed Schumer about whether Democrats might support the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), whom Trump selected to replace Noem and lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Schumer declined to evaluate the choice directly, repeatedly emphasizing that the debate should focus on policy rather than personnel.
“This is a problem of policy, not personnel,” he said, arguing that replacing one official with another would not resolve the broader concerns surrounding the department’s operations.
Schumer also rejected the idea that a new nominee alone could help resolve ongoing negotiations over funding and oversight of DHS. He pointed out that Republicans have been blocking Democratic proposals for reforms and insisted that those issues must be addressed through legislation rather than relying on leadership changes at the department.
Asked whether Democrats might block any nominee for the role, Schumer again redirected attention to the administration’s policies. As long as Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement remains unchanged, he said, the underlying problems will persist regardless of who leads the agency.
“I wouldn’t focus on that,” Schumer stated regarding Mullin’s nomination. “The issue is the policies.”
