'No they aren't!' Kristi Noem clashes as Dem lawmaker applies pressure on Capitol Hill
Secretary Kristi Noem clashed with a Democratic House member over whether U.S. citizens have been illegally deported by the Department of Homeland Security.
Noem and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified before the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday on budget-related matters.
Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) took the opportunity to ask Noem about the Constitutional right to due process, which judges have ruled is being flouted by the Trump administration as they deport undocumented migrants.
"Do you believe that the Constitution grants everyone in our country the right to due process, including non-citizens?" Underwood asked.
"The administration has the authority to —" Noem began, before Underwood interrupted her.
"Ma'am, I'm looking for a yes or no...yes or no — reclaiming my time, Mr. chairman!" Underwood declared as Noem continued to talk over her.
Underwood began again, "Secretary Noem, I'm just looking for a yes or no answer here. Do you believe the Constitution guarantees due process to everyone in America?"
"Due process is exactly what this Congress —"
ALSO READ: ‘Pain. Grief. Anger’: Families heartbroken as Trump backlash smashes adoption dreams
"Yes, or no? OK ma'am, I'll take that as a no," Underwood said as Noem continued to talk. "Excuse me, ma'am, I'm trying to ascertain your understanding of the law as it applies to to your department, and you, as its leader, should be able to give us a yes or no answer. Because judge after judge has ruled that the law is not being followed. Do you believe that the U.S. government has the authority to deport American citizens?"
"No, and we are not deporting U.S. citizens." Noem answered.
"OK, great, I'm so happy to hear that you believe that the law does not give you that authority, because the federal government has no authority under U.S. laws to deport any American citizen...I know everyone viewing this hearing today knows that several American citizens have been deported to date."
"No, they haven't. That is not true." Noem countered.
"Secretary Noem, that was not a question...That oath that we both swore before taking office was to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Not the president, not a political party — the Constitution," Underwood concluded.
Last week, DHS deported three children along with their undocumented migrant mothers. The children, including one with cancer, were U.S. citizens.
Watch the clip below via C-SPAN.