Capitol Hill is buzzing with drama as Democrats rally behind an effort to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem—while momentum to give former President Donald Trump the boot appears to be fading fast. On Wednesday, Illinois Representative Robin Kelly lit a fire under Congress by slapping down not one, not two, but three articles of impeachment against Noem.

Already, nearly a hundred House Democrats have jumped on board, thrusting the issue firmly into the political spotlight—even though Republicans’ grip on the chamber makes Noem’s removal a long shot at best.

President Donald Trump dances after ending his his remarks to the Detroit Economic Club at Soundboard inside the MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

Meanwhile, attempts to bring Trump to account are struggling to build steam. So far, impeachment bids targeting the ex-president have drawn fewer supporters and haven’t packed much of a punch. William F. Hall, a political science expert from Webster University, didn’t mince words, telling Newsweek that the current drive to go after Noem is far more aggressive and energized than the sluggish campaigns against Trump ever were.

Noem’s defenders aren’t taking the situation lying down. A DHS spokesperson brushed off the uproar as ‘silly,’ and Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin doubled down, insisting that critics should focus on changing laws instead of chasing headlines. McLaughlin lashed out, highlighting a staggering 1,300 percent jump in assaults on ICE officers, accusing lawmakers of grandstanding at the expense of public safety, and praising Noem’s leadership.

May 6, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, testifies in front of the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

But what are Democrats accusing Noem of? The allegations are explosive: obstruction of Congress, betrayal of public trust, and mixing personal interests with official business. She’s been accused of unlawfully trying to enter a DHS detention center for undocumented immigrants, directing ICE agents to flout due process and unleash violence, and allegedly blowing a whopping $200 million in taxpayer funds on glitzy ICE recruitment ads, according to Kelly’s office.

Compare this to the anti-Trump camp, which looks divided and relatively quiet. Although Texas Democrat Al Green took two shots at impeaching Trump last year—branding him ‘unfit’ and urging lawmakers to act—he couldn’t get the votes either time. Trump may have survived back-to-back impeachment trials thanks to Senate Republicans, but the fiery passion we’re seeing now against Noem just isn’t there for the former president.

With the midterms looming, all eyes are on whether these spectacular clashes will damage the GOP’s image or leave Trump and Noem largely unscathed. One thing’s for sure: The gloves are off, and the Capitol is in for a bumpy ride.

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