Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) said Thursday that the removal of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security was warranted but argued the change in leadership will not resolve what he described as serious problems within federal immigration enforcement, especially regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Speaking to reporters outside the Capitol after President Donald Trump announced Noem’s dismissal and the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to replace her, Booker said he had already called earlier in the week for Noem to either resign, be fired, or face impeachment.
“She is gone,” Booker said, adding that she should still be held accountable for any instances of corruption, violations of court orders, and infringements on the constitutional rights of Americans during her tenure.
Noem’s Firing Does Not Address Democrats’ Core Issues With The DHS
Despite welcoming her departure, Booker argued the leadership change does not address broader concerns about the actions of immigration enforcement agents. He called out the DHS for conducting aggressive operations in communities, including warrantless home entries and enforcement actions carried out by agents in unmarked vehicles and masks.
Booker also claimed immigration enforcement efforts have gone beyond the administration’s stated focus on violent offenders—the so-called “worst of the worst”—alleging that American citizens and children have been caught up in enforcement actions and that families have been separated as a result.
“This agency is out of control,” Booker said, arguing that the problems extend beyond the individual leading it. He noted that DHS’s conduct is the reason why Congress is currently deadlocked over funding for immigration enforcement.
Asked by a reporter whether he would support Mullin’s confirmation, Booker said the issue is less about who leads the agency than about how it operates. While acknowledging he has known Mullin for some time, Booker said hearings should scrutinize the agency’s actions and policies before any decision on confirmation.
Pressed by another reporter on whether Mullin would represent an improvement over Noem, Booker sharply criticized her leadership, calling it “complete incompetence” and saying it would be difficult for a successor to perform worse.
Booker Remains Firm On Reforms To Rein In Immigration Enforcement
Booker also outlined changes he believes are necessary for immigration enforcement, including requiring warrants for home entries, ensuring agents are clearly identified, and ending enforcement operations at locations such as schools, churches, and courthouses.
He said those issues remain major obstacles in ongoing negotiations with Republicans over funding, noting that his Republican colleagues have resisted several of those proposals.
Booker said any nominee to lead the department should commit to ending what he described as warrantless searches, violations of free speech rights, and enforcement actions that create fear in communities.
The New Jersey senator also said Noem should still face potential legal accountability if investigations find she violated court orders or the Constitution while in office, stating that “no one should be above the law.”
