Top 5 moments: Noem clashes with Dems in fiery hearing as drones, deportations erupt into flashpoints

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Top 5 moments: Noem clashes with Dems in fiery hearing as drones, deportations erupt into flashpoints

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defended her deportation policies and sparred with Democrats demanding her resignation

Leo Briceno Fox News

Published

December 11, 2025 6:00pm EST

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Dem rep calls on DHS Secretary Noem to resign in fiery opening remarks

House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign during his opening statement at a hearing titled, "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland," on Dec. 11, 2025.

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A House Homeland Security hearing quickly became a magnet for explosive exchanges, complaints and divisive claims when DHS Secretary Kristi Noem appeared before Congress on Thursday.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle probed Noem at the House Homeland Security’s "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland" hearing, raising topics on everything from Noem’s efforts to stop illegal immigration to the threat of weaponized domestic drones.

Although Noem had to exit the hearing ahead of schedule due to a meeting with FEMA, the hearings still led to plenty of notable moments.

Top Dem starts hearing with call for Noem to step aside

The meeting got off to a heated start on Thursday when Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., called on Noem to resign just minutes in, citing a long list of what he called violations of U.S. law.

A side by side of Kristi Noem and Rep. Bennie Thompson

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to resign on Dec. 11, 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

WHITE HOUSE CALLS REPORT ABOUT TRUMP CONSIDERING FIRING NOEM ‘TOTAL FAKE NEWS'

"Rather than sitting here and wasting your time and ours with more corruption, lies and lawlessness, I call on you to resign. Do a real service to the country and just resign," Thompson said.

Thompson pointed to the administration’s efforts to deport illegals to El Salvador against the requirement of a court order, the withholding of federal grants to put pressure on American cities to assist with immigration enforcement efforts, and the detainment of American citizens as evidence of Noem's wrongdoing.

Many of the instances Thompson pointed to are being adjudicated in court.

Noem says the US can’t keep up with drone threats

When asked about DHS’s efforts to monitor and deter potential drone-related security threats, Noem said the U.S. is behind the curve.

The White Helmets teams capture footage of a drone. (The White Helmets)

"Frankly, our authorities haven't kept up with it," Noem said.

Noem said DHS would begin new collaborations with state and local authorities through new enabling language contained in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

"We are going to be investing upwards of $1.5 billion into drone technology and counter-drone technology and mitigation measures that we can deploy to partner with cities and states for celebrations and different things that they may hold as well," Noem said.

Noem noted that drone threats are especially front of mind as the U.S. prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the Olympics, among other public events.

"We're working with the FAA as well to get what we need to be able to operate. And we don't just want to detect; we don't want to just monitor. We need to mitigate. We need to take these drones down," Noem said.

Face to face with deportation questions

One of the repeated concerns Democrats brought up on Thursday centered around whether the Trump administration is doing enough to make sure the right people are being deported.

Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., asked Noem to answer one such question.

"Madam Secretary, we are joined on Zoom by a gentleman named Sae Joon Park. He is a United States Army combat veteran who was shot twice while serving our country in Panama in 1989," Magaziner said.

Magaziner described how Park, a green card holder, had struggled with substance abuse in the years after his service. Park had accrued a drug possession charge and then failed to appear in court.

Fourteen years later, Park self-deported to Korea when he received a removal order earlier this year despite having received leniency in years past.

Confronted with Park’s story, Noem promised to review the details of what changed and why Park had been asked to leave the country, but added that "every one of [our laws] needs to be enforced."

She thanked Park for his service.

CHAOS ERUPTS AT NOEM HEARING AS ANTI-ICE PROTESTERS INTERRUPT TESTIMONY

A protester stands and shouts during a congressional hearing with senior U.S. national security officials.

A protester interrupts a House Homeland Security Committee hearing featuring Joseph Kent, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and FBI official Michael Glasheen on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 11, 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

‘The power of Christ compels you’

Moments after Sec. Noem started her opening remarks, a pair of protesters interrupted the DHS secretary, demanding that she suspend deportation efforts.

"End deportations!" yelled the protester, who was dressed like a priest and carrying a crucifix. "The power of Christ compels you!"

Two men with signs were escorted from the room. It is a federal crime to interrupt or delay a meeting of Congress.

Noem, unfazed by the outburst, continued with her opening statement.

TRUMP ADMIN REPORTS 2 MILLION ILLEGAL ALIENS ‘REMOVED OR SELF-DEPORTED’ FROM US IN FIRST 8 MONTHS

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, left, and White House border czar Tom Homan walk at the White House in Washington, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Newsroom)

‘That’s your job’: Noem dares Congress to change immigration laws

In response to several Democrat lawmakers who raised concerns about deportations, Noem said Congress had the power to change the picture if it wanted to.

"I think it's shameful to see the defense of individuals who break our laws," Noem said. "And that is what we are doing every day. If you guys don't like the law, go change it. That's your job. You don't complain."

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According to figures released by the DHS on Wednesday, the United States has deported 2.5 million illegal immigrants under Noem’s leadership.

Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.

Top 5 moments: Noem clashes with Dems in fiery hearing as drones, deportations erupt into flashpoints