House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is signaling that if Democrats regain control of the House, one of their first actions will be to summon Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for questioning over immigration enforcement, as reported by The Western Journal.
Jeffries made the comments during an appearance on The Next Level podcast hosted by Tim Miller of The Bulwark, published Monday.
He accused the Trump administration of overstepping its authority by directing federal immigration agents to carry out aggressive enforcement measures.
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“It’s my expectation that Kristi Noem will be one of the first people hauled up to Congress shortly after the gavels change hands to get a real understanding for the American people as to this conduct that has taken place,” Jeffries said.
He claimed the administration has shown “a lack of respect for due process, for the rule of law, the unleashing of masked agents on law-abiding immigrant communities, and the disappearing of people — in some instances to other countries — without any real evidence that criminal behavior took place.”
Jeffries insisted that if Democrats take the majority, “all of this is going to require aggressive Oversight activity.”
"It's my expectation that Kristi Noem will be one of the first people hauled up to Congress shortly after the gavels change hands, to get a real understanding for the American people as to this conduct that has taken place."@RepJeffries joins @Timodc in the latest Bulwark Pod: pic.twitter.com/Uzz5a9lAxV
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) August 18, 2025
The comments come just weeks after Jeffries delivered the longest floor speech in House history. Using his “magic minute” privilege, he spoke for 8 hours and 44 minutes — 524 minutes in total — in an attempt to delay passage of the Republicans’ omnibus spending bill.
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Despite the lengthy address, the measure passed by a 218–214 vote.
Only two Republicans joined Democrats in opposition: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who argued the bill lacked sufficient entitlement spending, and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who objected to its overall cost.
Jeffries’ latest threat comes amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. Earlier this month, an arson attack targeted an ICE office in Washington state.
On Saturday, a cowardly rioter threw a rock through a window of a building that ICE has a sub-office in. Additionally, a small fire was set at the back of the building. Local authorities are investigating this has an act of arson. There have been no injuries reported at this time… pic.twitter.com/55MB6Y7idr
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 5, 2025
In response, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Democratic officials bear responsibility for encouraging hostility toward immigration officers.
“Make no mistake, Democrat politicians like Hakeem Jeffries, Mayor [Michelle] Wu of Boston, [Minnesota Gov.] Tim Walz, and Mayor [Karen] Bass of Los Angeles are contributing to the surge in assaults of our ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE."
The Biden administration oversaw a sharp increase in illegal border crossings, with estimates exceeding 12 million illegal entries since 2021.
Trump’s administration, by contrast, has made enforcement and deportation priorities, a point of contention between Democrats and Republicans.
Jeffries’ vow to bring Secretary Noem before Congress underscores how immigration policy is likely to remain a central issue heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
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