Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign if President Donald Trump did not fire her first.
At a Homeland Security Committee hearing on Thursday, Thompson excoriated Noem over her use of department resources.
"Instead of deploying Homeland Security grants to protect churches and synagogues from terrorism, you handed your friends a $220 million contract so they could follow you around the country with a camera," Thompson told the DHS chief. "Instead of fully funding the DHS agency that protects our hospitals, schools, and electrical systems from cyber attacks, you spent $200 million to buy yourself new private jets."
"And instead of paying your way like the rest of us, you're living rent-free in a taxpayer-owned property that is supposed to be reserved for military leaders," he continued. "Every penny that you spend on yourself represents the blood, sweat, and tears of hardworking Americans who expect their tax dollars to be spent on homeland security, not promoting you and your interests."
"Apparently, you haven't noticed that regular people are suffering under President Trump's affordability crisis. Or maybe you, like him, thinks it's a hoax and just don't care. Either way, such corrupt behavior hurts homeland security."
Thompson ended his opening statement with a recommendation.
"Rather than sitting here and wasting your time and ours, with more corruption, lies, and lawlessness, I call on you to resign," he said. "Do a real service to the country and just resign. That is, if President Trump doesn't fire you first."
