Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defiantly defended the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies on Thursday during a House committee hearing, portraying migrants as a major threat faced by the nation that justifies a crackdown that has seen widespread arrests, deportations and a dizzying pace of restrictions on foreigners.
Noem, who heads the agency central to President Donald Trump’s approach to immigration, received backup from Republicans on the panel but faced fierce questioning from Democrats — including many who called for her resignation over the mass deportation agenda.
The secretary's testimony was immediately interrupted by protesters shouting for her to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and “end deportations,” and they trailed her down the halls as she left the hearing early for another engagement, chanting, ”Shame on you!"
But she vowed she “would not back down."
“What keeps me up at night is that we don’t necessarily know all of the people that are in this country, who they are and what their intentions are,” Noem said.
The hearing was Noem's first public appearance before Congress in months, testifying at the House Committee on Homeland Security on “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland,” and it quickly grew heated as she emphasized how big a role she believed immigration played in those threats. It focused heavily on the Trump administration's immigration policies, whereas in years past the hearing has centered on issues such as cybersecurity, terrorism, China and border security.
Rep. Bennie Thompson, the panel's ranking Democrat, said Noem has diverted vast taxpayer resources to carry out Trump’s “extreme” immigration agenda and failed to provide basic responses as Congress conducts its oversight.
“I call on you to resign,” the Mississippi congressman said. “Do a real service to the country.”
Trump returned to power in January with what he says is a mandate to reshape immigration in the U.S., claiming the country is under an invasion.
In the months since, the number of people in immigration detention has skyrocketed; the administration has continued to remove migrants to countries they are not from; and, in the wake of an Afghan national being accused of shooting two National Guard troops, Noem’s department has dramatically stepped up checks and screening of immigrants in the U.S.
Lawyers for the 22-year-old Utah man charged with killing Charlie Kirk are in court Thursday as they push to further limit media access in the high-profile criminal case.
A Utah judge is weighing the public's right to know details in Tyler Robinson's case against his attorneys' concerns that the swarm of media attention could interfere with his right to a fair trial.
Robinson’s legal team and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office have asked Judge Tony Graf to ban cameras in the courtroom.
Prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, just a few miles north of the Provo courthouse. They plan to seek the death penalty.
Robinson was expected to appear in person Thursday after making previous court appearances via video or audio feed from jail, according to a transport order.
Graf has already made allowances to protect Robinson’s presumption of innocence before a trial, agreeing that the case has drawn “extraordinary” public attention.
Graf held a closed hearing on Oct. 24 in which attorneys discussed Robinson's courtroom attire and security protocols. Under a subsequent ruling by the judge, Robinson is allowed to wear street clothes in court during his pretrial hearings but must be physically restrained due to security concerns. Graf also prohibited media from filming or photographing Robinson's restraints after his attorneys argued widespread images of him shackled and in jail clothing could prejudice future jurors.
Michael Judd, an attorney for the media coalition, has urged Graf to let the news organizations weigh in on any future requests for closed hearings or other limitations.
The media presence at Utah hearings is already limited, with judges often designating one photographer and one videographer to document a hearing and share their images with other news organizations. Additional journalists can typically attend to listen and take notes, as can members of the public.
Judd wrote in recent filings that an open court “safeguards the integrity of the fact-finding process” while fostering public confidence in judicial proceedings. Criminal cases in the U.S. have long been open to the public, which he argued is proof that trials can be conducted fairly without restricting reporters as they work to keep the public informed.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has called for full transparency, saying, “We deserve to have cameras in there.” Her husband was an ally of President Donald Trump who worked to steer young voters toward conservatism.
Robinson's legal team says his pretrial publicity reaches as far as the White House, with Trump announcing soon after Robinson’s arrest, “With a high degree of certainty, we have him,” and “I hope he gets the death penalty.”
Attorney Kathy Nester has raised concern that digitally altered versions of Robinson's initial court photo have spread widely, creating misinformation about the case. Some altered images show Robinson crying or having an outburst in court, which did not happen.
The Senate has rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year. Senators on Thursday rejected a Democratic bill to extend the subsidies for three years and a Republican alternative that would have created new health savings accounts. It's an unceremonious end to a monthslong effort by Democrats to prevent the COVID-19-era subsidies from expiring on Jan. 1. Ahead of the votes, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer warned Republicans that if they did not vote to extend the tax credits, “there won’t be another chance to act."
Josh opens the show with a hard look at the U.S. Navy’s seizure of a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, unpacking what this bold move means for America’s long-term posture toward the corrupt socialist regime in Venezuela . He breaks down why Americans should care, what’s really driving this dangerous geopolitical dance, and how long the cat-and-mouse standoff between the U.S. and Venezuela can continue before it erupts into something bigger.
Josh then turns to Erika Kirk, who is courageously calling out the bad actors and online grifters spreading baseless conspiracy theories about her husband’s assassination. Josh exposes why these narratives are not only dishonest—but actively destructive to the conservative movement and the truth.
Washington state is under a state of emergency from a barrage of torrential rain that's sent rivers flowing over their banks, caused a mudslide to crash down on a highway and trapped people in floodwaters. Tens of thousands of residents are under evacuation orders. The rain is threatening to bring catastrophic flooding as rivers near historic levels. It's already prompted rescues and road closures. Gov. Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency, saying, “lives will be at stake in the coming days.” In Skagit County, a major agricultural region north of Seattle, those within the Skagit River’s floodplain have already been ordered to evacuate.
President Trump is taking on the Banking industry with his executive orders protecting individuals from political persecution. But Congress must act to make these actions law!
How Debt And Interest Rates Are Affecting Young Americans
With Dr. Jeffery L. Degner, Economist, Professor, Dean of the School of Business & Innovation at Cornerstone University.
How Debt & Interest Rates Are Affecting Young Americans
With Dr. Jeffery L. Degner, Economist, Professor, Dean of the School of Business & Innovation at Cornerstone University.
A Utah man accused of killing Charlie Kirk is scheduled to appear in court Thursday as his attorneys ask a judge to further limit media access in the high-profile case.
Tyler Robinson, 22, faces aggravated murder charges in the September shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Prosecutors say they plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
Robinson’s legal team is requesting restrictions on cameras and media coverage, citing concerns that widespread reporting could interfere with his right to a fair trial. A coalition of local and national news organizations, including The Associated Press, is fighting to preserve public access to the proceedings.
The case has drawn national attention, in part because of Kirk’s profile as a conservative activist and his connections to national political figures. Robinson’s court appearances have previously been conducted via video from jail, but he is expected to appear in person Thursday.
A Utah man accused of killing Charlie Kirk is scheduled to appear in court Thursday as his attorneys ask a judge to further limit media access in the high-profile case.
Tyler Robinson, 22, faces aggravated murder charges in the September shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Prosecutors say they plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
Robinson’s legal team is requesting restrictions on cameras and media coverage, citing concerns that widespread reporting could interfere with his right to a fair trial. A coalition of local and national news organizations, including The Associated Press, is fighting to preserve public access to the proceedings.
The case has drawn national attention, in part because of Kirk’s profile as a conservative activist and his connections to national political figures. Robinson’s court appearances have previously been conducted via video from jail, but he is expected to appear in person Thursday.
Jury selection is set to begin Thursday in the federal trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan. She is charged with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest after prosecutors say she helped a Mexican immigrant avoid federal agents by leading him out a private courtroom door.
Dugan maintains she acted within her legal authority. If convicted, she could face up to six years in prison. Opening statements are scheduled for Monday.
Broadcast from the heart of Times Square, Kevin McCullough takes America’s >>Broadcast from the heart of Times Square, Kevin McCullough takes America’s pulse — and delivers the shock it needs. <<
Broadcast from the heart of Times Square, Kevin McCullough takes America’s >>Broadcast from the heart of Times Square, Kevin McCullough takes America’s pulse — and delivers the shock it needs. <<
Armed American Radio airs live Sunday nights on nearly 250 radio stations and >>Armed American Radio airs live Sunday nights on nearly 250 radio stations and 200 cable radio stations nationwide distributed by the Salem Radio Network. Host Mark Walters brings his “no compromise” style to the air with an ever-changing lineup of . . . . <<
Broadcast from the heart of Times Square, Kevin McCullough takes America’s >>Broadcast from the heart of Times Square, Kevin McCullough takes America’s pulse — and delivers the shock it needs. <<
Salem Media, our partners, and affiliates use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, personalize site content, and deliver relevant video recommendations. By using this website and continuing to navigate, you consent to our use of such technologies and the sharing of video viewing activity with third-party partners in accordance with the Video Privacy Protection Act and other privacy laws.Privacy Policy