Missouri Senators Schmitt and Hawley defend Kristi Noem's record as Homeland Security Secretary

Both of Missouri’s U.S. Senators are defending Kristi Noem’s tenure as Homeland Security Secretary.

During an oversight hearing Tuesday in Washington, Democrats blasted her job performance after ICE agents killed two protesters in Minnesota. But U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Missouri, commended Noem and her oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We’re not kneecapping ICE. We’re not doing it,” Schmitt said. “We’re not going to take away the tools that they have to deport criminals in this country who are raping and murdering sons and daughters.”

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, also defended Noem’s job performance, calling it an “unqualified success.”

“Daily migrant encounters are down 92%. Daily border apprehensions are down 95%,” Hawley said. “For seven consecutive months, (U.S.) Border Patrol has released zero illegal aliens into the country. Zero.”

Hawley also thanked Noem for Homeland Security’s response to last year’s deadly EF-3 tornado that destroyed or damaged thousands of homes in St. Louis.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, pushed back.

“Madam Secretary, under your leadership, the Homeland Security Department has been devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law. Without hesitation or remarks, DHS agents have wreaked havoc in our cities. I’ve seen it in the city of Chicago and acted with unspeakable cruelty against children, immigrant families, and American citizens. This administration’s reckless immigration enforcement campaign is creating fear in communities and eroding the foundational tenets of our democracy.”

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement is the only division of Homeland Security that’s fully operating, as congressional Democrats continue to withhold funding from DHS.

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