Washington, D.C. — Today, following the firing of Kristi Noem, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander released the following statement:

“Kristi Noem failed the American people as Secretary of Homeland Security. She never should have been nominated or confirmed by the Senate for that absolutely critical position of public trust. Her removal today was long overdue — and accountability will not stop there. 

“Public safety depends on public trust, and public trust depends on transparency, professionalism, and accountability in federal law enforcement.

“The American people need and deserve a Secretary of Homeland Security who will work with Congress to implement urgently-needed, common-sense legislative reforms that ensure ICE and CBP follow the law, operate transparently, and are accountable to the people they are entrusted with serving and protecting.

“We need a Secretary who will support our bill (H.R. 7481), which would immediately fund the law-abiding components of Homeland, including TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration. I voted in favor of our bill yesterday because no Transportation Security Officer or federal public servant should go without a paycheck, but DC Republicans killed it.  

“The Department of Homeland Security can and must enforce our laws and secure our borders to keep our country safe from dangerous criminals while protecting our rights and freedoms. We need a Secretary who will uphold their oath to our Constitution.”

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