Rep. Bennie Thompson Condemns Noem's DHS Tenure, Vows Accountability for Quitman County

Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and longtime representative of Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District that includes Quitman County and Marks, issued a blunt rebuke of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after President Donald Trump fired her, saying her tenure “will go down as one of the most lawless, corrupt, and reckless in modern history.” Thompson released the statement on March 5, 2026 from Washington and named specific personnel and policy failures he says demand further scrutiny.

In his March 5 release Thompson added that “Time and again, she ran afoul of the law - and court orders - and put her vanity ahead of the safety of the American people,” and accused Noem of “brazen corruption - including her cozy relationship with so-called ‘special government employee’ Corey Lewandowski - turned the agency responsible for protecting the homeland into a multibillion-dollar grift.” Those lines anchor the ranking member’s case for extended oversight and personnel changes at DHS.

Thompson also issued an undated aviation-security statement from his committee office alleging Noem “gravely endangered aviation security when she suddenly changed airport security checkpoint screen procedures and then disregarded a DHS Officer of Inspector General report informing her of the security risks.” He wrote, “It should enrage all Americans that Kristi Noem continues to do so much damage to our national security. Since day one, she has put politics - and her own image - far and above the safety and security of the American people.” Thompson demanded that the Inspector General be allowed to brief members of Congress and that TSA brief lawmakers “on whether and how it has closed the security gaps caused by Kristi Noem.”

Thompson tied his security concerns to broader enforcement and disaster-response critiques, saying, “Not only does she let ICE terrorize our communities and has withheld disaster recovery funding, she is also endangering the nation’s aviation security. She must resign, be fired, or be impeached.” He warned that “Democrats cannot agree to fund ICE and CBP until they are reined in - under the law - and real change is made,” and added, “Of course, Corey must also leave the Department.”

President Trump said he would nominate Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace Noem, and under federal law a nominee may serve as an acting secretary while the Senate considers confirmation. Thompson’s statements, issued from Washington and bearing the Congressman’s media contact block, signal a planned oversight path that touches issues local to Mississippi’s 2nd District: aviation checkpoint procedures, FEMA disaster funding speed, and ICE and CBP enforcement posture.

Thompson closed his public comments by underscoring continued action: “Homeland Democrats will continue pursuing the truth and uncovering the full extent of the misconduct that defined her tenure. The American people deserve answers and a Department of Homeland Security worthy of their trust.” The ranking member’s office has called for Inspector General and TSA briefings as the next steps in that oversight.