House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Thursday that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is a “disgrace” who should be “put on ice permanently,” escalating Democrat threats of impeachment against the Cabinet official during a news conference.
Jeffries made the remarks while responding to questions about whether Democrats would move forward with impeachment proceedings if Noem is not fired and whether he has spoken with Republicans about supporting such an effort.
A Trump administration source sharply condemned Jeffries’ language, warning that it would have prompted widespread outrage had similar remarks come from a Republican leader.
“Imagine if the Republican majority leader had made similar remarks about Joe Biden while he was president?” the source told Fox News.
“The liberal media would be up in arms to charge him with inciting an assassination.
“Now we hear crickets from the very same people who greedily glean through every word from conservative officials.”
The source added that Jeffries’ comments were particularly reckless given the current political climate.
“What Jeffries said is dangerous and unfathomably stupid given the culture of political violence the left has endorsed and perpetrated against conservative leaders,” the source said.
“He should know better. He does know better.”
During the news conference, Jeffries said he had reiterated his impeachment threat in a recent conversation with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
“I did reiterate in my conversation with Speaker Johnson that we intend to proceed with impeachment proceedings if Kristi Noem is not fired,” Jeffries said.
“Kristi Noem is a complete and total embarrassment. She’s a disgrace.”
Jeffries went on to accuse Noem of having “presided over” deaths he linked to immigration enforcement actions.
The Democrat leader deceitfully framed the deaths as murders.
“And on top of all of that, she’s presided over the cold-blooded killings of American citizens like Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti,” Jeffries said.
“Unacceptable,” he added.
He also criticized Senate Republicans who voted to confirm Noem, calling her “wildly unqualified” for the position.
“She should have never been confirmed,” Jeffries said.
“Shame on every Republican in the Senate who put this wildly unqualified person into a position of significance — the Department of Homeland Security — so she could unleash brutalization on everyday Americans, American citizens, and law-abiding immigrant families.
“Just disgraceful,” he added.
Jeffries concluded his remarks by repeating his demand for Noem’s removal.
He again used language that drew immediate attention.
“She’s got to go,” he said.
“We are dead serious.
“She needs to be put on ice permanently.
“She’s got to go.”
WATCH:
NEW: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem:
“She’s got to be put on ice permanently.” pic.twitter.com/peWEv4nYIg
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 29, 2026
In a statement shared late Friday, Jeffries appeared to walk back the phrasing, saying:
“She needs to be put on ice.
“It’s clear, right?
“That means gone. G-O-N-E. From her position.
“Don’t misinterpret anything that I’ve said.”
Asked when he last spoke with Johnson, Jeffries replied, “Yesterday.”
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