Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense questioning from Republican senators during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on March 3, 2026. Lawmakers pressed her on a $220 million ad campaign encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport, potential conflicts in contracts, and her handling of fatal shootings in Minneapolis. The testimony occurred amid a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3, 2026, marking her first appearance for questioning since two fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January. The incidents resulted in the deaths of Renee Macklin Good and 37-year-old Alex Pretti, both described in one account as anti-ICE activists and in another as U.S. citizens. Noem had labeled the deceased as committing "acts of domestic terrorism," drawing bipartisan criticism for preempting investigations.
Louisiana Senator John Kennedy led the Republican scrutiny, focusing on the $220 million television ad campaign tasked by President Trump to promote self-deportation. The ads, which featured Noem prominently, were produced through contracts awarded to firms including a subcontract with The Strategy Group, run by the husband of Noem's former spokesperson and previously involved in her 2022 South Dakota gubernatorial campaign. The company stated it received $226,137.17 from Safe America for limited production services and had no direct DHS contract.
"I believe you have a policy, Madam Secretary, that you have to approve all contracts at your department over $100 million," Kennedy said. Noem responded that she reviews contracts over $5 million, denying personal involvement and insisting on competitive bidding by career officials. Kennedy expressed doubt, noting one firm was formed 11 days before selection, and questioned Trump's prior approval, saying the ads boosted Noem's "name recognition" and strained taxpayer funds.
On the Minneapolis shootings, Kennedy pressed Noem about reports she blamed White House advisor Stephen Miller for her premature statements, citing a January 27, 2026, quote: "Everything I’ve done, I’ve done at the direction of the president and Stephen." Noem denied the attribution, calling it based on anonymous sources.
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis delivered a "performance evaluation," renewing calls for Noem's resignation and criticizing arrest quotas of 1,000 to 9,000 per day, which he said prioritized quantity over quality. "The fact that you can’t admit to a mistake, which looks like under investigation, is going to prove that Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti probably should not have been shot in the face and in the back," Tillis said. He referenced Noem's book account of shooting her 14-month-old dog and a goat as "bad decisions made in the heat of the moment, not unlike what happened up in Minneapolis."
Tillis also threatened to block nominations and deny quorum in committees over unanswered inquiries into immigration raids in Charlotte. The hearing addressed the DHS partial shutdown, ongoing since mid-February due to budget disputes, leaving about 100,000 employees unpaid and straining operations. Noem blamed Senate Democrats for holding the department "hostage," affecting border security and other missions. Democrats outlined 10 demands, including body cameras for agents, which Noem supported with more funding. An initial CBP report contradicted the official narrative on Pretti's death, and agency heads had previously declined to endorse Noem's account.
Noem stated 650 DHS agents remain in Minnesota, focusing on fraud investigations after deploying 3,000 officers earlier. She noted administrative warrants were used 400,000 times, but only 28 to enter homes.
