Illinois pols react to Homeland Security secretary’s exit, reassignment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A member of Congress from Illinois says it is not enough for President Donald Trump to fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Trump announced on Thursday that Noem would exit DHS and serve as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas.

Illinois U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, said in a social media post that the process to impeach Noem must continue.

“Because we demand full justice and I’m going to work towards that every single day until we dismantle DHS, abolish ICE and make sure this person never, ever again serves in any public position,” Ramirez said.

The president said he would nominate Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace Noem.

Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said he was in touch with his “good friend” Mullin to congratulate him.

In a social media post, Bost said he appreciated Noem’s many accomplishments in securing the border and making the country safer.

Reporters in Springfield asked Gov. J.B. Pritzker about Trump removing Noem from DHS.

“She shouldn’t let the door hit her on the way out. It’s frankly not too soon,” Pritzker said.

The governor said he hopes Mullin does better than Noem did.

“It’s a pretty low bar, frankly. We saw shootings. We saw breaking the law. We saw corruption under Kristin Noem, and so I’m not sure you could do worse,” Pritzker said.

Mullin told reporters in Washington on Thursday that Noem was tasked to do a very difficult job.

Noem said the DHS made historic accomplishments over the last 13 months.

“We delivered the MOST secure border in American history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S., we have located 145,000 children, FEMA delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate, we ushered in the golden age of travel, saved the American taxpayer $13 billion and revitalized the U.S. Coast Guard,” Noem said in a social media post.