'It was you': GOP senator busts Kristi Noem for lying about Stephen Miller

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) presented Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with evidence that she was not telling the truth after she claimed she had not blamed her statements about the killings of protesters on White House adviser Stephen Miller.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, Noem told Kennedy that the FBI was investigating the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two protesters killed by DHS agents. The senator was curious about why she had called the dead demonstrators domestic terrorists.

"I believe at the time you said these were acts of domestic terrorism, is that right?" Kennedy asked.

"Sir, in answer to questions at the press conference that afternoon, it was that it appeared to be," Noem said. "And as I've said previously in this hearing, is that we're getting information from a chaotic scene on the ground and relaying information to the American people."

"Okay. Now, again, those videos are public people can draw their own conclusions," Kennedy noted. "What got my attention was that you, you blame those statements on Mr. Stephen Miller at the White House. Did you not?"

"No, sir, I did not," Noem stated. "And in fact, where you're seeing that is in a news article of anonymous sources. And anonymous sources say a lot of things, but it is, I've never said that at all."

"Well, here's what you said on the record," Kennedy shot back. "I'm going to read your words, quote, everything I've done, I've done at the direction of the president and Stephen."

"Sir, where did you see me say that at? You read that in a news article with no sources?" Noem demanded.

"You said it on the record on January 27th of 2026," Kennedy explained. "Did you, did I read your words accurately?"

"I enjoy working with the president, and with Stephen Miller, and that day we were working to get as much information to the American people as possible," Noem deflected.

"Do you think it was fair to blame Mr. Miller?" Kennedy pressed.

"Sir, I did not do that," Noem insisted. "You're reading from a newspaper article with anonymous sources."

"Are you denying that you said that?" the senator wondered.

"Sir, I'm not going to speak to that situation that is relayed on anonymous sources that no one has heard me say that," Noem said.

"It was you!" Kennedy remarked, pointing at the secretary. "They're quoting you on the record saying it's Stephen's fault."