Kristi Noem forced to face combat veteran whose Irish wife has been jailed for four months
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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‘Modern Gestapo!’ Protests erupt as Kristi Noem leaves hearing early
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.
Mike Johnson cuts risky deal as hardliners threaten shutdown
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
