US: congressman and the secretary of homeland security argue over courts and deportations

 US: When Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar accused Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of misrepresenting the public and disregarding the courts, the cabinet secretary responded bluntly, escalating the heated encounter.

Thanedar said that Noem had broken sworn testimony earlier this year at a Congressional session.

You lied to me that day when I was under oath, Secretary Noem. In your capacity as Secretary of Homeland Security, you have broken the confidence put in you by lying to the American people,” he said.

The only Indian American member of the House Homeland Security Committee, Thanedar, brought up deportation flights that persisted in violation of court rulings. “When you refused to order the deportation flights to El Salvador to turn around in March, you disregarded federal court orders,” he added, adding that DHS operations had been deemed “illegal” by courts.

He questioned Noem on DHS’s adherence to court decisions. “Why, when it was obvious that DHS was not complying with all federal court orders, did you lie under oath?” Thanedar inquired.

Noem categorically denied the charge. “This administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and Congress all abide with all federal court orders. She said, “We always have and we always will.”

She maintained that DHS has the right to contest decisions. “We will keep appealing,” Noem said, adding that the department has “an over 90 percent success rate… in our battle against activist judges across this country” at the Supreme Court level.

Thanedar accused the department of holding American citizens, which escalated the encounter. “This year alone, there have been at least 170 documented instances of citizens being detained or arrested by federal immigration agents,” he said.

Noem denied any misconduct once again. “We have never once detained — or deported — an American citizen,” she said, clarifying that individuals may be momentarily detained while enforcing the law. “They are released once we have confirmed their identity.”

Thanedar cut her off many times, accusing her of making false claims. He repeatedly said, “Not true,” before charging the secretary with disobeying court orders. He questioned, “Are you going to disregard any more federal orders?”

Noem said, “We always abide by all orders from federal courts.”

Thanedar demanded responsibility as the altercation came to an end. After declaring, “I am tired of your lies, and the American people demand the truth,” he inquired as to whether Noem would step down or be fired. “I will consider your asking me to resign as an endorsement of my work,” Noem shot back.

Other members reacted strongly to the conversation, with Republicans blaming opponents of undercutting law enforcement and Democrats condemning Noem of avoiding supervision.

Democratic members later protested when Noem left the meeting before all of the questions had been asked, leading to demands that she be summoned to come back. Her resignation, according to Ranking Member Bennie Thompson, shown “no respect for Congressional oversight.”

In the end, the committee tabled a resolution to force her return after voting along party lines.

The conflict brought to light the very divisive discussion surrounding immigration enforcement during President Donald Trump’s second term, in which the administrative branch, judiciary, and Congress are embroiled in disagreements on jurisdiction and compliance.

Immigration has continued to be one of the most divisive topics in US politics, with politicians closely examining and federal courts often challenging enforcement practices. Immigration took center stage at the House Homeland Security Committee meeting, which was supposed to be on global dangers.