Members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation join calls to remove Kristi Noem

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - A growing number of Democratic leaders across the country have called for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation issued statements calling for Noem’s removal in the wake of two shooting deaths by federal agents in Minnesota.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who represents Connecticut’s 3rd Congressional District, said she’s been calling for her removal for months.

“Her tenure has been marked by failure after failure,” Delauro said. “Instead of enforcing our laws, she has lied to the American people, attacked our core values of freedom of expression and assembly, and separated law abiding families with children as young as five ending up in ICE detention facilities. Americans are now dead because of her utter failure, and communities across the nation are suffering because of terror inflicted upon them by ICE. She has completely failed as one of our nation’s top law enforcement officials. She must immediately resign or be fired, and if she is not removed, I will support moving forward with impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.”

Rep. John Larson, from Connecticut’s 1st District, also called for Noem’s impeachment.

“ICE agents continue to act with impunity, refusing to exercise any restraint – leaving a trail of death and violence in their path," Larson said. “It needs to end now. It is beyond horrifying to watch a second resident shot and killed by agents in Minneapolis. Local law enforcement must be allowed to fully investigate this shooting – with full cooperation from federal officials. We cannot allow these authoritarian abuses of power to go on for one minute longer in the United States of America – whether it is families being separated by armed, masked agents here in Connecticut, or residents being killed in Minneapolis. Accountability starts at the top – with Donald Trump and Kristi Noem. That is why I have called for Secretary Noem’s impeachment and will continue to oppose funding for the Department of Homeland Security until this lawlessness ends, and ICE is reined in. The time for change is now, before more families have to suffer at the hands of this out-of-control secret police force.”

On the local level, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said he joined more than 80 local governments nationwide to challenge the Trump administration’s deployment of more than 3,000 armed immigration agents in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“What is happening in Minneapolis and the violence that is being perpetrated by ICE against Minnesotans is sickening and represents a grave threat to individuals and cities across the country,” Elicker said. “ICE’s illegal, immoral and inhumane actions and the federal government’s unlawful deployment in Minnesota must end. New Haven stands with Minneapolis whose residents are standing up for all of us in fighting back against the Trump Administration’s attacks on our values, citizens and immigrant neighbors.”