Raw Story

Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was put in the awkward position of apologizing to U.S. military veterans whose lives have been turned upside down, after a Democratic lawmaker who came armed to the teeth with tales of ICE immigrant overreach.

During questioning before the House Homeland Security Committee, the embattled Noem, who is reportedly on the way out at DHS, was confronted by Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) who followed up her claim, “We have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans,” by asking, “I don't believe you served in the military. I haven't either, but I think you and I can agree that, as Americans, we owe everything to those who have served our country in uniform, particularly those who have served in combat. Do you agree with that?”

She answered, “I believe that people that are in this United States that are citizens have legal status here.”

Magaziner then offered up a Purple Heart veteran who is now living in South Korea due to ICE, and who appeared at the hearing via Zoom, before directing her attention to veteran Jim Brown, who was in the audience and whose wife, a native of Ireland, has been jailed by DHS for four months as she awaits deportation.

In an interview with the Guardian, Brown gained national attention for confessing, “... he ‘100%”’regretted voting for Donald Trump as president.”

“Madam Secretary, the man behind you, please stand up, sir, his name is Jim Brown from Troy, Missouri," Magaziner began. “He is a Navy combat veteran who served our country in the Gulf War. He's married to a woman named Donna who came to our country legally from Ireland when she was 11 years old. She has lived here for 48 years. Because of you. Jim's wife, Donna, has been in prison for the last four months. She did not come here illegally and she has never committed any crime other than writing two bad checks totaling $80.10 years ago. She is currently in prison and facing deportation.”

“Miss Noem, will you thank Mr. Brown for his service to our country?” he asked.

Noem turned in her seat to the right and murmured to the standing veteran, "Thank you, Mr. Brown, for your service to our country.”

"Now, what possible explanation can there be for locking up his wife for four months when she has committed no crime, other than writing a couple of bad checks for $80?” the Democratic lawmaker pressed.

“Sir, it is not my prerogative, my attitude or my job to pick and choose which laws in this country get enforced,” she demurred.

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Protesters lashed out at Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after she left a hearing early.

Hours before the House Homeland Security Committee was scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, Noem said she had to leave to attend to department business.

"I have to actually leave this hearing early because the FEMA review council is giving their report today on suggestions for changes to FEMA," the secretary said before getting up to exit the hearing.

As she left, protesters could be shouting, "Shame!"

"You are the modern SS & Gestapo!" a demonstrator yelled as Noem hugged "Angel Mom" Agnes Gibboney, whose son was allegedly shot and killed by an undocumented immigrant.

Protesters accused Noem of using Gibboney as a shield.

House Speaker Mike Johnson barely muscled the annual defense bill through the chamber after caving to GOP hardliners — and now they’re openly warning they’ll blow up the next government funding measure if he wavers. Axios reports Johnson promised votes on banning congressional stock trades, blocking a Federal Reserve digital currency, and advancing a far-right bill restricting gender-affirming care, along with a separate pledge from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to target NGO funds in Afghanistan. With another shutdown threat looming and a pivotal vote on ACA subsidies coming soon, Johnson’s shaky deal has only deepened the GOP’s own internal chaos, according to the report.

Watch the video below.

Mike Johnson cuts risky NDAA deal as hardliners threaten shutdown

Former Senator Claire McCaskill warned that the Trump administration could be undone by last month’s controversial boat strike in the Caribbean, which reportedly targeted survivors clinging to wreckage — actions that whistleblowers say may constitute war crimes. Appearing on MSNBC, McCaskill slammed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for withholding video footage, arguing the administration’s secrecy proves how damaging the strike is. She also criticized Trump’s handling of the military and highlighted growing Republican concern, calling the episode a “story that will consume” the administration until fully exposed.

Watch the video below.

Ex-Senator warns boat strike scandal could “consume” and topple Trump administration

President Donald Trump's latest scheme got a brutal mocking on social media after months of imposing harsh regulations on visas, a looming social media policy for tourists, and anti-immigrant remarks.

Trump on Wednesday revealed that his "Trump Gold Card," which allows wealthy foreigners to effectively purchase residency in the United States for $1 million — with a $15 million DHS processing fee — was now available on the government's website. The policy is intended to replace the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa program, which allows foreign entrepreneurs to apply for a U.S. work permit if they either invest $800,000 in the U.S. economy or create at least 10 U.S. jobs. The upcoming platinum card is slated to cost $5 million.

Trump wrote this on his Truth Social platform:

"THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S TRUMP GOLD CARD IS HERE TODAY! A direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent. Live Site opens in 30 minutes! trumpcard.gov"

The website featured a scene of eagles flying over amber mountains with a visa tucked behind the landscape background and the text "Unlock life in America."

Social media users had plenty to say in response to the announcement.

"Trump: You just pay me with this make believe gold card and do whatever the hell you want. We love bribes. Especially gold, card shaped bribes," Chris Robinson wrote on X.

"The gold card does not provide expedited EB-1 or EB-2 green cards. They are still subject to the same per-country quota and limited numbers of green cards. They also require dependents to pay an extra $1 million each. All that glitters is not gold," immigration attorney Emily Neumann wrote on X.

"American entrepreneurs now have to compete with wealthy foreigners coming in? The hotel business has already succumbed to this phenomenon. The American dream is being killed by a thousand cuts, and the Trump Gold Card is a deep one," Matthew VanDyke wrote on X.

"Genuinely agog at this; Trump's 'Gold Card' application suggests they'll let people pay the US in crypto, after declaring anyone who has $1 million is inherently a person of 'exceptional business ability' who should be allowed to get an employment-based visa without a job," Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, American Immigration Council fellow, wrote on X.

"An official website of the United States Government," Irish sociologist Kieran Healy wrote on Bluesky, sharing images of the website.

"Just how unserious is the Trump Gold Card program? The administration has been promising it's 'days away' for the last six months, and the website is now touting a separate 'Platinum Card' product with no details other than the option to join a waitlist. Email scam-a-- government," writer Jay Willis wrote on Bluesky.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was roundly mocked by political analysts and observers on Wednesday after it was revealed that her agency is spending $140 million to buy new airplanes for its deportation operations.

The Washington Post first reported on Wednesday that DHS has signed a $140 million contract with a company called Daedalus Aviation, which was formed in August 2024, to purchase six Boeing 737 airplanes that a Trump administration official told the outlet will allow immigration agents to "operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns."

Daedalus Aviation appears to have been created by a pair of executives from a company that already has a nearly $1 billion contract with DHS, according to the report.

Political analysts and observers shared their reactions on social media.

"You can’t afford healthcare — and DHS is buying itself a fleet of 737s with your money," the House Homeland Security Committee Democrats posted on X. "Were 2 private Gulfstream jets not enough for Kristi?"

"DHS is spending $140 million dollars on 6 Boeing 737 planes so they can have their own 'deportation fleet.' F Boeing," independent journalist Karly Kingsley posted on X.

"DHS is now for the first time buying its own deportation planes," journalist Katya Schwenk posted on X. "ICE already uses air charter companies for deportation flights, which is cheaper than maintaining a fleet; imo, this is about making it more difficult to scale back the agency in the long run."

"Your tax dollars at evil. Evil in your name," author Jeff Jarvis posted on X.